DARPAN - Holiday Issue 2020 - Agam Darshi

REFLECTING THE SOUTH ASIAN LIFESTYLE

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2020

Atish Ram’s

Twenty Lessons From

Battle With

2020

Covid-19

2021 BC Housing Market Outlook

Celebrate

Beauty

Holiday Gift-Guide

VIRTUAL TRAVEL:

12 New Year Traditions From Across The World

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PUBLISHERS̓ NOTE

W W W. K R A F T M O R T G A G E S . C O M

H

ello readers, we are happy to present our last issue of 2020 filled with useful articles and holiday specials. This year has been a challenging one but there is hope that 2021 will be a good one. After the darkness there is light! Talking about light, we hope you got a copy of our Diwali 2020 edition and had a safe celebration.

On the cover is the beautiful Agam Darshi. Raised in Canada, the actor, producer, director and writer will be seen in Deepa Mehta’s Funny Boy releasing on Netflix on December 4. Funny Boy is chosen as Canada’s Oscars submission for best international film. The story revolves around a boy who grew up gay in Sri Lanka during the Tamil-Sinhalese conflict.

In the cover story, the talented artist talks about her experience working with Deepa Mehta on the film, her future plans and views on South Asian movies breaking stereotypes, and Vancouver International South Asian Film Festival.

In this issue, Atish Ram, well known for his 25 years of film, television and philanthropy work, talks about being infected with COVID-19 in Spring. He shares in detail how and where he got infected with the virus and his life-changing experience dealing with the virus and recovering from it. It’s been eight months since Ram contracted the virus but he still has lingering long-term effects. Ram hopes to educate people about the dangers of COVID-19 and ways to stay healthy and safe. Most importantly, he wants people to be grateful for their lives and appreciate each and every day.

Spreading some holiday cheer is our beauty holiday gift guide.

The gatherings may be smaller in numbers but that doesn’t mean our enthusiasm for celebrating needs to be scaled back. We have some special seasonal offerings to inspire your gift giving or to add to your own wish list. Also, read our article on ways to give a boost to your happy hormones naturally.

We hope you enjoy reading this issue and have a good holiday season ahead. Happy Holidays!

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NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2020 REFLECTING THE SOUTH ASIAN LIFESTYLE

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2020

Atish Ram’s

Twenty Lessons From

Battle With

2020

Covid-19

2021

BC Housing Market Outlook

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Agam Darshi DARPAN

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NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

Benjamin Yong

PHOTOGRAPHY

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DARPAN Magazine is published by DARPAN PUBLICATION LTD. DARPAN is a bi-monthly magazine. Any reproduction of the magazine, editorial content, images or advertisement cannot be reproduced or reprinted in any form, without prior written permission of the Publishers. The views expressed by the writers in this publication are not necessarily the views of the Publishers. The Publishers assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Copyright 2020 DARPAN Publication Ltd. All rights reserved. Publications sales agreement no. 41116014

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2020

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER

CONTENTS

82

80

LIFESTYLE STORY

20

Resolutions For the New Year

70 HEALTH

Agam Darshi Breaking Stereotypes

The Bitter Truth About Sweets

74 RECIPES

Recipes by Chef Tarla Dalal

76 STYLE

10 Winter Fashion Must-haves

80 BEAUTY

IN EVERY ISSUE 8 READER’S REACTION

64 FITNESS

Celebrate Beauty

56 SALUTES

Pratham: Giving Second Chances Through Educatio

10 DARPAN’S 10 MLA Amandeep Singh

86 FASHION

92

82 FASHION PAGES

Ruhaaniyat - Manish Malhotra

92 VIRTUAL TRAVEL

BIBA Canada

SPOTLIGHT 14 Harbin Kaur 16 Sundeep Kaur Sekhon

12 New Year Traditions From Across The World

112 GLOBAL INDIANS Geraldine Viswanathan

108 EXCLUSIVE

114 IMMIGRANTS

40 YOUTH SPEAK

Shweta Tripathi

Meet The Dhillon Family

Life Skills, Sports & Youth

28

110 BOX OFFICE Quarantine Wonders

60 FEATURE Water Works

66 FEATURE

In Pursuit of Happiness

42

28 FEATURE Starting A Small Business During A Pandemic

32 FEATURE

The New Normal of 2021

36 FEATURE

The 2021 BC Housing Market Outlook & Updates

98

48

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66

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Atish Ram's Battle With Covid-19

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102 Cadillac CT5-V

20 Lessons From 2020

108 Porsche Cayenne Coupé

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REFLECTING THE SOUTH ASIAN LIFESTYLE

SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2020

RReactions

Self-Care Matters

TRAVEL:

Fall Glamping Getaways

FITNESS:

Write to us: editor@darpanmagazine.com or Tag us on social media: @DarpanMagazine & #Darpanmgazine

For Physical & Mental Wellbeing

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SELF CARE Self-care is important and I have really realized it this year. Thank you for highlighting the importance of self-care and how one can indulge in it. – Roopa Kaur

Re: You are absolutely right Roopa.

Self-care should be a priority in everyone’s life. We need to look after ourselves first before caring for others.

Please do take care of yourself and stay healthy! – DARPAN

Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

DIWALI 2020 EDITION

The Light

in our

Lives

BOLLYWOOD MOVIES

Festive FASHION

Covid is really changing entertainment for us. Seeing movies on our home screens is great and lots of good films coming up too!

Thanks for sharing the movie calendar.

A Healthy

CELEBRATION

– Amar S. Happy Diwali 2020

The Many

Histories of

DIWALI

Re: Glad you liked the Bollywood feature

Swara

Amar. Yes, now people can just watch the latest movies at home and be safe and healthy as well.– DARPAN

THE FIREBRAND ACTRESS

BHASKER

DIWALI 2020

1

DIWALI 2020 Really loved the Diwali issue and the articles in it. Though it was a quite Diwali this year, the magazine was a good addition.

– Seema D.

DATING DURING A PANDEMIC Never expected that there would be a situation such as dating during a pandemic but here we are. Good read on the topic and ways to still continue to find love in these times.– Deepak

Singh

Re: Yes Deepak, the situation has

Hello Seema, thank you for the kind words and for sharing your thoughts on the Diwali issue. Hope you and family had a good Diwali. May the year ahead be filled with love and prosperity.

Keep writing to us always. – DARPAN

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DARPAN’S

MEET THE FIRST TURBANED SIKH MLA IN BC

set of candidates ever fielded in BC and that’s a positive step, it shows that the BC NDP is committed to progress.

5 What will be your greatest challenge as the new MLA for the riding of RichmondQueensborough?

I will find out as I start the job.

6 With your background as an accomplished civil and human rights lawyer why did you decide to throw your name in the hat for politics?

AMANDEEP SINGH

PHOTO: COURTESY OF BCNDP

BC NDP MLA FOR RICHMOND-QUEENSBOROUGH

10

There is systemic racism everywhere, just by its definition and also systemic misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, fatphobia, ableism and the list goes on. We have to fight it on every front and call it out when we see it. that’s the only way to move forward.”

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

1 When you hear first turbaned

Sikh elected to the legislature, what significance does that hold for you?

It is another step forward in the many steps taken by those who came before me, I am thinking of the people on the Komagata Maru, the Ghadr party, the fight for the vote, the first legislator in the BC legislature. and to have such a visible symbol speaks volumes to the openness of people. I think of what inspiration a young man would have taken from seeing someone that looks like himself in this position and I hope I can be a good role model.

2 Which key areas do you want to focus on for the riding of Richmond Queensborough?

You know during the campaign and even before the campaign, I was hearing a lot of concerns from people about the pandemic.

We are living in an unprecedented time, the future can look and seem very scary and unknown to many of us. So my focus will

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be on working with my colleagues to make sure that we stay safe and healthy during these times and that we come out of it with an economic recovery that carries all of us forward.

3 What will you be doing to push the mandate of diversity forward?

Being unapologetically present and visible is a start. I have always been an advocate for social justice and I will remain that. What exactly I do will really depend on whatʼs in front of me. But I know I am starting from a good place when I look at the diversity of my colleagues in the BC NDP caucus.

4 Do you feel there is systemic racism within your own party?

There is systemic racism everywhere, just by its definition, and also systemic misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, fat-phobia, ableism, the list goes on. We have to fight it on every front and call it out when we see it. That’s the only way to move forward.

I do know that I ran with the most diverse

I have always been an advocate ever since I was a teenager growing up in Hong kong.

It is why I chose to attend the university of California at Berkeley for my undergraduate studies and why I became a lawyer. This is a natural progression, a MLA, after all, is a representative of the people and advocates for them.

7 Do you admire any politicians for the work that they have done?

There are so many people, politicians, writers, activists that I admire, I wouldn’t know where to start.

8 What was the highlight of your social activism work?

Just like the last question, there has been so much that maters to me including the Komagata Maru apology. I think that amongst others stands out. I worked with the other directors at the professor Mohan Singh Memorial Foundation for years on this, I drafted the wording of the petition, so I am quite humbled and grateful that I got to do that.

9 How do you think you will balance family and being in office?

Balance is really key in life. I know it will be a challenge but I will have to actively and consciously wake up and remind myself of what is important in life and recommit myself to that.

10 What message would you like to share with youth?

Learn from adversity, the world is a wonderful, generous place, it’s just waiting for you to make a mark on it.

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DARPAN SPOTLIGHT Reflecting on her memories from India, Harbin says she misses her friends the most.

That said, her favorite part of having moved to Canada is that she now has even more friends, who have also helped her prepare for the competition!

A

t the Spelling Bee of Canada, success is just a word away! This year, the success story is close to home as Khalsa School Newton’s Grade 4 student, Harbin Kaur, prepares for a national-level competition, Spelling Bee of Canada (SBOC) Championship.

Held on November 29, the final stage of this competition features 23 regional winners from all over the country; Harbin placed first among 64 other contestants to be known as B.C.’s best junior speller.

When asked about how she felt at the time of her win, Kaur replies, “Nervous! I knew that the words in the final round are going to be hard.”

Similarly, the parents, Hakuljit Singh

HARBIN KAUR Surrey’s New Busy Bee and Sonia Kaur, felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness, realizing that more efforts would be required in preparing for the big day. This year, the competition presents the finals virtually; students are spelling assigned words online. In other years, contestants would have flown to compete for the trophy in Toronto, Ontario.

Regardless of the transition to virtual platforms, Harbin is all in. The recipe for her achievement is a combination of discipline, eagerness, and family support.

Aside from memorizing

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NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

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Harbin placed first among 64 other contestants to be known as B.C.’s best junior speller.

By NAINA GREWAL worksheets and working hard to prepare for the competition within just a few days, Harbin notes that her father pushed hard for her to learn English. Having moved to Canada just two years ago with his family, Singh explains that he often emphasizes English as a cultural requirement when moving to Canada. As advice to those who are new to the country, Singh suggests,

Photos: Amastermedia, istockphoto

“Push the limits. Just because you don’t know another language doesn’t mean you stop conversing in it. Learn new words. It will not happen in one day. It is a constant effort.”

Reflecting on her memories from India, Harbin says she misses her friends the most. That said, her favorite part of having moved to Canada is that she now has even more friends, who have also helped her prepare for the competition! In fact, Harbin’s keen decision to partake in the Spelling Bee stemmed from seeing her classmates’ involvement. She saw the opportunity as one that could help enhance her vocabulary, which she continually polishes as an avid book reader. When she brought the conversation home, her parents were very encouraging. “We said to her that winning or losing is a different story, but you’ll learn new words,” recalls Singh.

Fittingly, the Spelling Bee of Canada boasts itself as an educational organization that encourages youth, parents, teachers and the community at large to participate in the education process. The SBOC defines parents’ role as important in keeping children interested in such initiatives, “Encourage playing spelling games –at home, in the car, or in transit.” Singh further outlines the significance of getting involved in your child’s education, pointing out that it should be the number one priority for every parent, “Parents should invest time into their kids’ education. I’m not going to solve the math question, but can still be someone who listens attentively, supports and motivates.

Lending a ear is good!”

Without a doubt, the positive inspiration from home is paying off as Harbin continues to shine at school, also taking on other hobbies such as singing and chess. Corazon Pabo, Khalsa School’s Principal, describes that Harbin has truly excelled at the new language. Competitions like the Spelling Bee of Canada will only hone her academic capabilities to an even greater extent. Learning to spell leads to improvement in writing skillsets, vocabulary and the ability to think, not just memorize, as stated by Julie Spence, past President and pioneer of the SBOC. As Harbin continues to make the community proud with her endeavors, she is a role-model to all. Taking on a widely recognized and renowned competition head-first with a smile, she is sure to be a busy bee as various milestones await her future journey. Her selfconfidence is truly the wow factor here, as she simply spells out her winning mindset behind it all, “Just break the words into syllables and sound it out.”

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DARPAN SPOTLIGHT

Don’t be afraid of what others think. There are tons of other women out there who understand you, relate with you, and are here to support you.˝

PUSHING BOUNDARIES:

SUNDEEP KAUR SEKHON

By Petrina D'Souza

I

t’s never too late to work on your dreams and focus on yourself. Sundeep Kaur Sekhon’s success is a testament to doing what really makes you happy. In July, Sundeep was crowned Miss BC World 2020. She went on to participate in the recentlyheld Miss Canada World pageant. The 28-year-old is an inspiration for many South Asian females who want to create their own path and not the one they are expected to follow.

Sundeep, fondly known as Sandy, always had a love for performing and the arts. “I’ve walked the ramp at Vancouver

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NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

Fashion Week, participated in bhangra and giddha competitions, and emceed many events so it’s no secret that I enjoy being on stage,” she reveals.

But growing up thinking she had to follow a traditional timeline of career, marriage and kids, she never fully immersed herself in other interests, and participating in a pageant was definitely not on her checklist. “As I grew older and thought more about the kind of

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life I wanted to live and what would make me content, my goals started to shift,” she shares. In the last five years, she did a lot of travelling, met many new people, started her own photography business Captured by Sandy, and began to explore her other interests. So when she saw an ad for Miss BC World 2020 back in March, it almost seemed meant to be.

“I don’t like to hold myself back anymore and I thought why not give it a shot! What intrigued me even more was Miss World’s Beauty with a Purpose initiative. I was excited that I could use a stage like Miss World to talk about something I’m very passionate about such as gender equity,” recalls the marketing professional.

Miss BC World 2020 was a twoday event with the first day dedicated to training and the next to the pageant itself.

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DARPAN SPOTLIGHT “I think the judges appreciated my confidence. I was happy to be on stage and because of my personal experiences, I could genuinely show passion for the message I was sharing,” says Sundeep about her experience.

Her win as Miss BC World 2020 completely caught her off guard.

“Having had no prior pageant experience, it felt like a huge win.

Although I didn’t have any formal training, it was definitely a nod to the hard work I’ve put into my other interests in the arts over the years,” expresses Miss BC World 2020.

In October, Sundeep participated in the Miss World Canada pageant in Toronto.

“It was a week-long affair with segments like a fitness test, fashion show, and a talent show,” states Sundeep who was happy to showcase her journey to inspire other women to enter.

“I want to see more women and young girls that look like me on that stage; more Punjabi women.” When asked about her biggest takeaway from both pageants, Sundeep answers that it “is a reminder to never hold

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I’ve advocated for gender equity every day by voicing my opinions and standing up for what I think is right in my own life.

I’m taking it a step further by opening up to other women and young girls by sharing my stories. myself back again! You never know what an opportunity may lead to. I never imagined winning, let alone having an opportunity such as this to share my story and platform with others.”

Sundeep’s personal experiences and having a front-row seat to the experiences of many women

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in her life is what got her really passionate about gender equity. “I’ve advocated for it every day by voicing my opinions and standing up for what I think is right in my own life. I’m taking it a step further by opening up to other women and young girls by sharing my stories. I’m building a platform which will allow them to come together and share their own stories,” asserts the young lady. She is striving to create a space where females can inspire and empower one another to

break free from gender norms and cultural expectations as a woman.

The Abbotsford-resident believes that gender equity in BC’s South Asian community has definitely progressed in the last 15-20 years, but there’s a long way to go. “There are new families coming to Canada every day and I think many still have those deep-rooted patriarchal values. Since we have quite a large South Asian community here in BC, it makes it very easy to get away with enforcing those values,” she explains. She feels that though women here are privileged to pursue an education, build a career and speak up and voice opinions, the cultural expectations are still there. “It’s important to recognize that a lot of these expectations exist in other cultures too. The fight for gender equity is global,” proclaims Sundeep who is currently working on a project to continue promoting gender equity, primarily in South Asian culture.

Her advice to young women is: “You’re the one that’s going to live your life, so make sure it’s one you want to live.

Whatever path you decide to take and the decisions you make, make sure you’re doing it for yourself and not for others. Don’t be afraid of what others think. There are tons of other women out there who understand you, relate with you, and are here to support you.”

Photo credits: Erwin Loewen (@ erwinloewen), Captured by Sandy (@capturedbysandy_), Mandeep Bhatti from blackbeardphotos (@ blackbeardphotos)

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“It took me a really long time to say the words, I am an actor.”

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COVER STORY

Agam Breaking Stereotypes

By MRINALINI SUNDAR

W

hen Deepa Mehta's Funny Boy was chosen as Canada's Oscars submission for best international film, the South Asian community was delighted. After all, the story revolves around a boy who grew up gay in Sri Lanka during the Tamil-Sinhalese conflict. The movie is based on the adaptation of Shyam Selvadurai’s 1994 award-winning novel, Funny Boy. The entire cast and crew including Seema Biswas, Ali Kazmi, Nimmi Harasgama, are riding the victory wave. DARPAN caught up with Agam Darshi who plays Radha in the movie for an exclusive interaction before the premiere of the film on Netflix on Decemebr 4.

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Photos : Wendy D, Contributed, Agam Darshi.com

“I was invited to brunch as part of the Whistler Film Festival and Deepa Mehta was the guest of honour, and there was this little voice inside my head that said you are the only other brown person in the room so go talk to her.”

COVER STORY



Working with Deepa has been amazing.

I wanted to work with her for 20 years and I was always in awe of how she effortlessly merged Bollywood and Hollywood.‟

Born in Birmingham, UK, Agam was three years old when she moved to Canada. The actress has spent time extensively across Canada - from Vancouver where she has family, to

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Calgary where she attended University for visual arts and theatre, to Toronto where she travels for shoots and work. “Theatre and acting always fascinated me and once I completed my degree in Calgary, my teacher in Vancouver asked me to get an agent. That's how I landed my first job as a recurring role in a TV show. I initially thought acting was going to be a side gig but photography will be the focus. It took me a really long time to say the words, “I am an actor.” But I was making a living out of it. My beginning as an actor was easy, but it was

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a couple of years later I realized how difficult the industry is and how it comes with so many ups and downs. It involves just putting you out there, so many no’s, heart breaks, yet so many experiences,” Agam reveals.

Today, she is an actor, producer, director, and writer and is super kicked about Funny Boy. Talking to us about the book and fulfilling her dream of working with Deepa Mehta, she says, “I read the book only after I got the role and the book itself is so epic and amazing.

I don't envy what Deepa and Shyam had to do to turn the big book into a movie. They had to sacrifice a few characters, merge

Still from 'Funny Boy'

a few into one, but the essence of the book is intact. Moreover, working with Deepa has been amazing. I wanted to work with her for 20 years and I was always in awe of how she effortlessly merged Bollywood and Hollywood. As a youngster, I loved that the Eastern and Western world collided and she could make someone who looked like me work in a regular film and not just Bollywood. That had a huge impression on me. I didn't know how it was going to happen, but I believed that it will happen one day. I was invited to brunch as part of the Whistler Film Festival and Deepa Mehta was the guest of honour, and there was this little voice inside my head that said you are the only other brown person in the room so go talk to her. I went up to her, introduced myself and eventually sent my portfolio to her. I hadn't heard from them for a year and then one fine day Deepa approached me for the role of Radha. The character was so well written and I just understood her so well. It was my first time in Sri Lanka, and we shot a few shots in Colombo. The people were wonderful, the location was amazing. It is hard to get into the skin of a character like that until you are really there. And when I set my foot on that soil, I felt I could be Radha here.” Giving us a little more information about the role, Agam says, “Radha goes to

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COVER STORY

My beginning as an actor was easy, but it was a couple of years later I realized how difficult the industry is and how it comes with so many ups and downs. It involves just putting you out there, so many no’s, heart breaks, yet so many experiences."

university in Canada, goes to Sri Lanka gets married and comes back and lives in Toronto. I understood her heart, her love for her nephew and wanting him to be fully himself. The hardest part for me was to undestand the history of Sri Lanka, what it is like to beTamil, to be Christian, to be a person in the70s and 80s.”

With South Asian movies breaking stereotypes and coming out with path breaking stories like Funny Boy, what's the forecast for South Asian movies in the coming future? To this Agam gives us a riveting answer," I think for a long time movies like Bend It like Beckham were so great and had a lot of impact on me. But I think we have been recycling these themes for a long time now. I don't think we don't live those lives anymore where we are torn between two cultures and don't know where we belong or our identity. I think we should be writing stories and creating films where we are not questioning who we are, but talk about ideas that are global and human, for example homosexuality in Funny Boy. It's not about identity anymore," she explains.

The advent of OTT has made viewing unique content easier across the world. To which, Agam agrees and says, “I am a little bit of traditionalist who loves the movie going experience and its anticipation on the big screen. Having said that, the world has become smaller someone sitting in Nebraska can watch something made in India. Even Funny Boy for that matter was supposed to go to festivals but is going to be streamed on Netflix. So the world definitely is moving in that direction but let's hope for the best.”

While some people work to pay bills (which is absolutely normal), some people follow their passion and work in their respective field. Agam falls under the second category. With hopes of working on projects that both scare and excite her, Agam forayed into direction recently with Indians In Cowtown. “It is a feature film about a Sikh-Punjabi family based in Calgary. The story revolves around this girl called Mona who is a mess of a person who goes back home to stay with her father. But he is diagnosed with cancer so she ends up staying for seven years taking care of him. So, the film is about family, forgiving your past, yourself and moving on with life. It is a slice-of-life kind of movie that I have been writing for the past four years and is super personal to me. Deepa is my executive producer. We are looking at a release next year,”

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shares Agam, who is also working on a Disney movie named Spin, directed by Manjari Makijany about a South Asian girl who is a DJ. Agam also completed another movie called Sheltering Season, one of the first pandemic films directed

by Bradley Stryker. As for her Bollywood plans, she hopes to work with Aamir Khan one day and deeply admires Tabu's work too.

As an activist for race equality in media, Agam Darshi co-founded the Vancouver International South Asian Film Festival VISAFF. And as per what is written on her website, the festival in its eighth year focuses on ‘bridging the gap’ between South Asian talent and mainstream audiences, by breaking stereotypes and expanding North American views on South Asian culture. Talking about actors being offered stereotypical roles, Agam shares a story with us, "I have been lucky not to get too many of these. However, I did get a role where I had an accent and had to wear a sari, etc. While I was not too keen, my mentor suggested that if not me someone is going to get the role and so might as well take it and elevate it. That thought resonated with me and I ended up auditioning and getting the role. It was a great experience and I could do justice to the role. I will never say don't do such roles unless it is racist or super stereotypical that you can't relate to it at all. It sometimes takes actors humanity to do such roles."

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DARPAN FEATURE

AN OPPORTUNITY TO RETHINK, REIMAGINE AND REINVENT

STARTING A

SMALL BUSINESS DURING A

PANDEMIC

BY ANOOP ARK

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S

tarting a small business is hard work, even in the most normal of circumstances. While the pandemic and resulting recession have created many new problems affecting life, society, and the world as we know it, it has also created a tremendous opportunity for entrepreneurs to innovate. What do companies like WhatsApp, Instagram, Uber, and Airbnb have in common? All four multibillion-dollar businesses were born out of the 2008 financial crisis, showing us that success in the face of adversity is a real possibility.

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, entrepreneurship in the U.S. is on the rise, with applications for new businesses increasing

at the fastest rate since 2007.

For the week ending October 3, new business applications were up 40% higher than they were in the same week last year. Despite the economic downturn across the world, the entrepreneurial bug appears to be an unforeseen yet infectious result of the pandemic.

How do Canadian entrepreneurs feel about the fate of their small businesses?

Cautiously optimistic, as reported in Scotiabank’s recent New Path to Impact report, which found that 40% of entrepreneurs are feeling very or extremely optimistic about the future of their business.

Additionally, nearly seven in ten businesses say they are now better prepared to survive a second wave of the pandemic, with their focus shifting to alternate channels to boost sales and revenues.

For small businesses, having an online presence is more important today than ever before. Although online shopping is not a new concept, many organizations were found without an e-commerce

presence at the beginning of the pandemic and were subsequently forced to shut down.

In an exclusive interview with U of T News, Satish Kanwar, VP & GM of Product, Channels at Shopify, recognized early on at the outset of COVID-19 that the push for e-commerce presence would become a new normal: “That’s led us to rethink our entire product roadmap to support the rush of traditional businesses turning to e-commerce as a business model for the first time, as well as to enable these merchants to support these new behaviours at scale such as local pickup and delivery, contactless payments, online tipping and more.”

Businesses in industries that typically require face-to-face interactions with customers, such as those in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry, are reimagining and innovating the way they do business as a result of e-commerce investment. For entrepreneurs who aren’t tech-savvy or don’t know where to begin, a number of services such as GoDaddy, Shopify, and Squarespace exist to help customize and build all the necessary components of an online storefront.

The Digital 2020 October Statshot, produced in partnership with We Are Social

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COVID LED US TO RETHINK OUR ENTIRE PRODUCT ROADMAP TO SUPPORT THE RUSH OF TRADITIONAL BUSINESSES TURNING TO E-COMMERCE AS A BUSINESS MODEL FOR THE FIRST TIME.” SATISH KANWAR,

VP & GM OF PRODUCT, CHANNELS AT SHOPIFY

and Hootsuite reported that October 2020 saw a rise of over 12% in social media usage from October 2019. At a total of 4.14 billion worldwide social media users and counting, more than half of the world’s population is now on social media. With less physical touchpoints as a consequence of lockdowns and social distancing directives, active social media usage has become crucial for small businesses to remain accessible and build relationships with their customers.

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DARPAN FEATURE

Delivery & Courier Services With increasing outbreaks, people are feeling less and less safe venturing into the outside world to buy their everyday needs.

Services offering the delivery of a range of niche items could be a direct response to a strong need in the market.

Photos: iStockphoto

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PandemicFriendly Startup Opportunities:

Proactive communication and accessibility on social media are key to the success of a business. Most, if not all social media platforms, offer an instant messaging function that enables two-way dialogue between a business and its customers at any time of the day.

Leveraging this allows customers to ask questions and make special arrangements at their convenience while giving entrepreneurs the ability to communicate things such as sales promotions, order updates, shipping notifications, and delivery timelines.

With growing concerns over health and safety, customers are looking for greater assurance that businesses are taking the necessary precautions to keep their customers safe. Entrepreneurs would be wise to communicate the changes their business has undergone to mitigate the risks associated with the pandemic. Content showcasing cleaning protocols and transformations to storefronts and offices creates a personal touch and helps to establish trust with customers.

As this pandemic continues to reshape almost every facet of our lives, opportunities to market new products and services are increasing every day. Whether you’re a small business owner looking to expand to a new market or someone who has been bit by the entrepreneurial bug for the first time, now may be a great time to start brainstorming new business ideas.

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

DARPAN

Cleaning Services Office buildings, restaurants, and shopping centres heavily rely on cleaning and sanitation services to protect employees and patrons. As public spaces remain open and COVID-19 cases continue to rise, so does the need for cleaning and janitorial services.

Home Improvement People are spending more time at home than ever before. If you’re handy or have a flair for interior design, helping people with their home renovations and improvements may be just the business for you.

Stylish Protection With face coverings becoming mandatory in a majority of public spaces, face masks have become this year’s biggest fashion statement.

The growing demand for fashionable face masks with customizations and embellishments may be a great opportunity for designers.

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Handmade Products Consumers are increasingly looking for one-of-a-kind goods as opposed to those that are mass-produced. This provides the perfect opportunity for artists and craftsmen to turn their skills and passions into a booming new business.

Virtual Wellness Programs In this time of isolation and great uncertainty, self-care is a must. With possible gym and fitness studio closures, the demand for virtual fitness and wellness programs is rapidly growing.

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DARPAN FEATURE

THE NEW NORMAL OF

By NAINA GREWAL

Be it the way we engage in social behavior, self-care, national boundaries, commerce or the general conduct of society, the world will not be the same.

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is the start of a decade like 2021 no other. With 2020 being engulfed in the

flames of an unforeseen pandemic, much has been altered. 2021 will see changes across a multitude of platforms on both an individual and communal level. Be it the way we engage in social behavior, selfcare, national boundaries, commerce or the general conduct of society, the world will not be the same.

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Business The economic outlook for 2021 does not look as strong as previous years, due to many industries facing ongoing adverse impacts from the pandemic.

As per market research organization, IBISWorld, even though employment and economic activity are anticipated to slowly recover over the five years to 2025, consumer confidence is expected to fluctuate since the longterm consequences of the pandemic remain unknown. This means a less than favorable position regarding household finances, business conditions, employment, income and economic outlook. The Conference Board of Canada expects localized closures in some segments of business activity, holding back pace of recovery into at least mid-2021. Despite help from provincial and federal governments, affected sectors will continue to struggle. For businesses that do operate, e-commerce will be vital. For employees, more flexible timings and work from home options will be presented.

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DARPAN FEATURE

where to go will be key in maintaining safety; preparing for a backup plan or even a potential lockdown at the destination can go a long way in dealing with unexpected circumstances.

As such, travel insurance becomes a must, with the need to carefully read the fine print.

Contactless touch points are to be expected along the travel journey. More leisure, optional travel is anticipated as compared to essential business travel, which will be replaced by virtual mediums.

Photos: iStockphoto

Education

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In-class instruction will be suspended for many, which is a cause of concern for students who may benefit more from physical contact hours with teachers, professors, and tutors.

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

DARPAN

Travel 2021 is projected to be the year of travel recovery, in light of anticipated lifts in travel bans and restrictions, coupled with the hope of developments in potential vaccinations. In 2020, alternate forms of travel such as RVs and camping, saw a spike as air travel went down. However, as air travel makes a comeback, these forms will see a decline. Traveling will require utmost responsibility, though. It will be highly important to adhere to protocols, procedures and regulations exclusive to the destination. Planning when and

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The safety and health of students, teachers and staff will remain a key priority for stakeholders when it comes to educational institutions and their operations in 2021. Although universities and schools will continue to offer instruction, there will be options available for those who want to sustain online learning.

In class instruction will be suspended for many, which is a cause of concern for students who may benefit more from physical contact hours with teachers, professors, and tutors.

Even institutions where in-person teaching is available, masks and other safety protocols will become mandatory. There may be limits in terms of class sizes and the hours of contact between different parties may be lessened versus regular frequencies. That said, online learning opens up the option of using analytics to measure performance and attendance, with increased potential for improvement, in addition to an arguably more structured approach.

Communication Communication and social interaction will remain to be an area of change for 2021. In person, restrictions on social gatherings may go off and on. Milestone events such as weddings, funerals and birthdays will not take place with high attendance. Masks, sanitization and social distancing will prevail. Social media and online platforms of communication – both professionally and personally – will continue to be on the rise.

Older generations, that may have previously gotten away with ignoring the onset of such platforms, will resort to employing them to decrease physical contact and get on board in situations where alternatives are simply no longer available.

With increased social media usage, attention spans will shrink even further. As per marketing company, Asset Digital Communications, content that is only available for a short time, then disappears, will be prominent. Video, as a mode of communication, will increase in importance.

However, fake news will be an area of concern as miscommunication travels fast.

Individual On an individual level, self-care will be a huge focus for people going into 2021. Across communities, people will be making sure health comes first and mental health is not ignored. This may come in the form of increased meditation practices, at-home workout regimes and promoting healthy work-life balances. People will also be more paranoid in what people, places and items they are coming into contact with, as the need to constantly maintain self-sanitization will be dominant. That said, it can also be true that 2021 will be a hopeful year for many, filled with positive intentions to capitalize on newfound appreciation and gratitude, much like the calm after a storm.

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Overall, the only certain thing about 2021 is uncertainty. Businesses will continue to see downturn, with a change in the way they operate.

Travel industries continue to be impacted, despite a projected increase in travel – only with a new onset of checklists. Education will see a new way of transferring and sharing information.

Communication will be altered when it comes to in-person interaction and virtual forms will take prevalence. Finally, individuals will focus more on the self than ever before, while integrating healthy changes into lifestyles. Informing oneself of the anticipated changes coming across these facets will pave the way for more inner satisfaction and economic prosperity in 2021.

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Photos: iStockphoto

DARPAN FEATURE

How has Covid-19 and the resulting economic recession impacted BC’s housing affordability? Much like these uncertain times, it’s not at all as expected - in fact, BC housing prices are at an all-time high.

THE 2021

BC HOUSING

MARKET

OUTLOOK & UPDATES

By Anoop Ark

R

ecent years have seen BC housing prices soar to unexpected heights, leaving many to believe it’s just a matter of time before the real estate bubble bursts. Foreign buyers and ineffective regulation have long been to blame for the inflated prices of homes in BC, benefitting existing homeowners and sidelining young buyers. But how has Covid-19 and the resulting economic recession impacted BC’s housing affordability? Much like these uncertain times, it’s not at all as expected - in fact, BC housing prices

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NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

DARPAN

are at an all-time high.

“In a typical recession, we would see falling demand and rising supply, but this recession is anything but typical,” says the British Columbia Real Estate Association’s (BCREA) Chief Economist, Brendon Ogmundson.

According to the BCREA, this past September was recordsetting for the BC housing market.

September’s housing sales were up 63% higher than they were in September 2019, despite the total number of active listings being down 12% from the previous year.

In addition to the supply of housing TM

BRENDON OGMUNDSON

CHIEF ECONOMIST, BRITISH COLUMBIA REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATION

In a typical recession, we would see falling demand and rising supply, but this recession is anything but typical.” being tighter than ever, low-interest rates, quick government aid like income support, and an increase in household savings, are among the few contributors to the overwhelming spike in demand and subsequent rise in housing prices.

CBC’s finance columnist, Mark Ting noted, “Many people are selling their downtown condos and purchasing houses in the suburbs.” The work-fromhome trend, arguably one of the most significant impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, appears to be creating a demand for housing skewed largely towards single detached homes.

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DARPAN FEATURE

MARK TING

CBC’S FINANCE COLUMNIST

Many people are selling their downtown condos and purchasing houses in the suburbs.”

Homes with additional spaces for homeschooling and a home office are becoming increasingly attractive, as the need to live close to work is no longer a necessity for many buyers.

Another explanation for this shift in buying behaviour may also be due in part to the low-interest rates offered by the Bank of Canada. Ting reasons,

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NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

DARPAN

lockdowns are said to be the cause of such dramatic increases in income and savings.

Additionally, the BCREA’s report observed an unprecedented impact of employment on the affordability of housing. Unlike previous recessions, the BC economy is experiencing uneven job loss, disproportionately affecting low-wage sectors. Employment in highwage sectors has returned to pre-covid levels, resulting in greater inequality than ever before. As the price of housing increases with no end in sight, potential homebuyers in low-wage sectors continue to be pushed out of a market favouring existing homeowners and those in highwage sectors.

So, what can we expect from the market as we head into the new year? If all factors remain the same, the demand for housing could continue to grow, pointing to a strong real estate market in 2021. However, as the BCREA’s report indicates, “Pandemic economics are very “Interest rates dropped. This lowered unusual and in these unprecedented the cost of borrowing for buyers and times, history may not be as strong a increased the amount of “house” guide.” they could qualify for.” These, among Facing a market flooded with various other factors, have resulted in tremendous uncertainty may leave you a surge in prices of single detached wondering if now is a good time to buy or homes, while the prices of condos are sell. To make a better-informed decision, beginning to see a decline. we must consider the factors with the The Unusual World of Pandemic greatest potential to influence supply and Economics, a Market Intelligence demand within the market. report released by the BCREA, With no guarantee that housing prices points to an increase in disposable will stay on the rise, now could be the income and uneven job loss as perfect time to sell. Despite the upward additional contributors to the strong trend, the unpredictability in the market is performance of the real estate far too great for sellers to bank on greater market amid the pandemic. The profits in the future. Unlike sellers, buyers report found that the disposable face a less than desirable circumstance, income of Canadian households as they risk paying unreasonably high jumped 11% from Q1 to Q2, while premiums for a piece of BC’s booming household savings reached a record real estate. Looking into the new year, if high of 28.2% in Q2. Government aid, market factors continue to intensify presuch as the Canadian Emergency covid inequalities and affordability issues, Response Benefit (CERB), the closure many will remain sidelined with little of stores and subsequent decrease in choice but to rent. spending as a result of the first wave’s TM

Factors impacting supply and demand in 2021 Chief Revenue and Business Development Officer of software service company, ClickFunnels, Dave Woodward, offers 7 e-commerce tips for small businesses

Interest Rates: Get familiar with the options you have and take the time to explore alternatives that are easy-to-use and offer automated solutions.

Government Aid: Despite the end of CERB, the Government of Canada has offered a slew of new benefits Canadians can transition to. If government aid continues to flow, household income and savings may continue to grow, leaving some Canadians with more money to spend on the perfect home

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Additional Waves of Covid-19: The potential for a second or third wave of Covid-19 and its severity may have unforeseen impacts on how we function as a society, and thus on the market as a whole.

Photos: iStock, contributed headshots/wtwitter

A Shift to the Suburbs: With more and more people leaving their downtown condos to start a life in the suburbs, prices for single-detached homes may steadily increase while condos become more affordable.

Economic Recovery: As long as government policy and action keep the BC economy afloat, the market should continue to remain strong into the new year.

Get a mortgage that works for you As an mortgage expert, I can help you choose the best financing option to meet your individual needs.

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What if diabetes was no big deal?

We believe one day it won’t be. Diabetes can bring a lifetime of challenges, from having to endure endless finger pricks to living with a constant fear of health complications like kidney failure.

Every year, BC Children’s Hospital treats over 96,000 kids, many of them battling debilitating diseases and chronic conditions like diabetes. Your donation will fund the groundbreaking research and advanced technologies that are needed to conquer childhood illnesses.

What if you helped?

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NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

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THANK YOU FOR JOINING OUR VILLAGE

OVER $480,000 RAISED TO TRANSFORM DIABETES CARE

We are so grateful to each supporter who joined us at this year’s virtual A Night of Miracles Gala as we continue our quest to transform care for one of the fastest-growing childhood diseases in BC—diabetes.

We began this journey at last year’s gala, and thanks to our generous donors and sponsors over the past two years, we’ve already raised more than $1.2 million toward our $3.1 million goal.

These funds will ensure that families have an empowered village of support, made possible through virtual education resources tailored for their situation and delivered to their home communities.

“IT TRULY TAKES A VILLAGE TO EXTEND A LIFELINE TO KIDS AND THEIR FAMILIES LIVING WITH DIABETES, AND SUPPORT THROUGH A NIGHT OF MIRACLES IS PROVIDING THEM WITH EVERY CHANCE TO THRIVE. THANK YOU.” —Teri Nicholas, President & CEO, BC Children’s Hospital Foundation

CO-PRESENTING SPONSORS

Dr. Shazhan Amed, Division Head, Endocrinology, BC Children’s Hospital

Martin Thibodeau, RBC & BCCH Foundation Board Member

CHAMPION SPONSOR

AUCTION SPONSOR

GIFT BOX SPONSOR

PRE-SHOW SPONSOR

LOGISTICS & DELIVERY SPONSORS

EVENING SPONSOR

Teri Nicholas, President & CEO, BC Children’s Hospital Foundation

Manjot Hallen, Warnett Hallen LLP & Chair, A Night of Miracles

EVENT PARTNERS

SPECIAL THANKS TO

AMPCO Graphics ATS Healthcare Bespoke Décor Chin Injeti Ratana Stephens, Nature’s Path & BCCH Foundation Board Member

The Shepherd Family, diabetes patient family

Jayden Gill, diabetes patient

William Westeringh, FASKEN & BCCH Foundation Board Member

Perm Jawanda, Rogers

Sonia Sidhu The Uncommon Cake

OVER $10,000 Dr. Jean-Pierre Chanoine & Dr. Ariane Alimenti Corp. Jas Chohan & Dr. Lovedeep Randhawa, Ganeev and Ayana Goldwood Industries Lisa & Mike Hudson Arran & Ratana Stephens, Nature’s Path Foods Stober Foundation RBC Family of BC and Martin Thibodeau

We sincerely thank the many volunteers who have given so generously of their time for this special night.

2020 A NIGHT OF MIRACLES GALA CABINET MEMBERS

SPECIAL GIVING

$1,000 TO $9,999 Dr. Shazhan Amed & Salim Popatia Dhar & Sonia Dhaliwal Erica Vance, Diabetes Nurse Educator, BC Children’s Hospital

Coho Commissary Fred Lee Hemlock Printers Ltd. Randip Janda

Dhir Family Dr. Danya Fox Manjot Hallen & Careena Sharma Perm Jawanda Darrell & Elizabeth Jones Jeevan Khunkhun Keystone Environmental Sukesh & Sunita Kumar Seema & Salesh Lal Dr. Kulwinder Mann Teri & Lee Nicholas Bob & Raj Sanghera Anuja & Praveen Varshney William & Karen Westeringh

UP TO $999 Manjot Hallen, Chair Puneet Agrawal Seema Lal, ViCe-Chair Kumar Bhaskar Robin Dhir, Founding Chair Bjornson & Smith Family Rita Chohan Suky Cheema Marko Dekovic Christine Fortin Dr. Lovedeep Randhawa Rowena Gill Ravinder Hehar Danvir Roopra Kit Johnson Mani Sharma Stephanie Jones Arjan Stephens Hitesh Kothary Don Stickney Janet Preston Reggie, Ashley & Amari Raju Danvir & Binika Roopra Dr. Paul Sahota Ashok Sharma Janet Smith NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2020 Don TM Stickney Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle Mani Sharma

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DARPAN REFLECTIONS

I passed the hardest moments alone, while everyone believed I was fine.�

- Atish Ram

ATISH RAM'S

BATTLE WITH

COVID-19

At the early onset of the virus during Spring time, a name that needs no introduction in the South Asian community, contracted this deadly virus.

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ith a surge in COVID19 cases in the midst of the second wave of this unprecedented global health crisis, it is not only a time of reflection but also to hear from somebody who tested positive.

At the early onset of the virus during Spring time, a name that needs no introduction in the South Asian community, contracted this deadly virus. Atish Ram, well known for his 25 years of film, television and philanthropy work wasn't expecting to be one of the first to get infected with covid-19. Ram is the creator, host

TM

and producer of Zindagi, a 30-minute high-energy entertainment magazine show running on Shaw Cable. Now in its 25th year and still running, Ram has been able to mentor and train many well-known media and film personalities of today.

As for his film work, Ram has appeared in over thirty Commercials, Television Series and Feature films working alongside Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp, Tom Cruise and Anil Kapoor.

It just doesn’t end there, he has also been at the forefront in philanthropy.

He has been a passionate volunteer and an ambassador to BC Children's

RESIDENTIAL | COMMERCIAL | INVESTMENT

SHEENA GORAYA 604.767.4590 sheenagoraya@gmail.com

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DARPAN REFLECTIONS

As I lay there for the next five hours wondering if this is how I am going to die. All I could do is look back at my life and ask God why?

Why are you letting me die all alone? Is this how my final hours will be?”

Hospital Foundation. Ram hosted the annual "A World of Smiles Telethon" which ran for 15 years.

The Ram's were also one of the first South Asian families from Vancouver to appear on the inaugural season of Family Feud Canada filmed in Toronto in early January of 2020, an episode that went viral.

Even though Ram has contributed to his community in immense ways, life also does throw us a curveball. Ram contracted the virus while shopping at a local grocery store in mid March when there were no COVID protocols set up. About five days later, the loss of taste and smell were the first senses that seemed to be affecting him. He didn't think much of it and rather just complained to his wife about her cooking skills. About ten days later, Atish started to get a slight fever and after four days decided to go to the emergency at Royal Columbian Hospital. He was tested for covid-19, treated with an antibiotic and sent home. Two days later he received the shocking

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NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

news from his doctor that he tested positive for covid-19 and the entire family was to selfisolate.

Within five days the virus took a turn for the worse.

Ram was unable to fight the continuous fever, struggled to breathe and could barely walk.

He decided to go to the hospital and was admitted immediately and was put in critical care.

After spending a week in ICU, his vitals stabilized and he was moved to a special covid-19 floor for recovering patients. "I felt much better and thought I would be home by the weekend" but then by the weekend his vital signs dropped with his oxygen

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levels, heart rate and fever being so critical that he was rushed overnight to Intensive Care. "I kept fading in” and Ram recalled, "the whole day I felt helpless, couldn't move and was gasping for air, it was horrible. I asked the nurse for some water."

Unknown to him, Ram was critically ill with his heart rate dropping, oxygen saturations dangerously low and his lungs completely invaded by pneumonia.

"The nurse came back and tells me he can’t give me water because they are about to put me on the ventilator.""Your lungs are so infected with pneumonia that the Xray looks like someone has taken shattered glass and shoved them in your lungs” explained the nurse.

The vitals were so dangerous that

doctors were losing hope and didn't think he was going to survive the night.

"The nurse asks me if I have a family?” recalled Ram, to which he said yes. The nurse said to him, “We are going to sedate you a bit so you may be able to talk to them for ten minutes, you need to say what you need to say to them Mr Ram.” Ram texted his wife and briefly explained that he needs to talk to her and the kids on facetime that night. As he lay there for the next five hours wondering if this is how he's going to die.

All he could do is look back at his life and ask God why?

Atish contracted the virus while shopping at a local grocery store in mid March when there was no covid protocols set up. About five days later the loss of taste and smell were the first senses that seemed to be affecting him.

“Why are you letting me die all alone? Is this how my final hours will be?"

With the help of the nurse, Ram finally made the facetime call to his family.

"I tried to stay strong for my family and told them how proud I was with them, to never give up in life and to always give back to the people in need. I apologized to them for not being given a chance to witness milestones in their lives like graduations and weddings. At this point his daughter crying loudly with tears running down her face shouted back at him and said "well then you better not give up on us, Dad you're a fighter you can do this, get better and come home so you can be there when I graduate and walk me down the aisle and give me away at my wedding?" Ram held back his own tears and told them he will always love them and be in their hearts forever and said goodbye, believing that this is now his final hours to live.

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He wasn't able to get out of bed for five weeks but it was also taking a mental toll on him. Isolated in a room by himself with no human contact and only the nurses coming in three times a day to check his vitals and

Photos: Contributed by Atish Ram & Family

Ram followed up with a text message to his wife explaining briefly what she needs to do once he’s gone, but his wife never responded. Overnight Ram’s vital signs improved and the doctors decided not to intubate him. He would spend the next eight days in ICU with each day fighting to stay alive. He was not able to breathe on his own. His blood pressure and heart rate was dropping while being at a high risk of cardiac arrest or a stroke. The doctors and nurses were constantly monitoring him for life threatening complications. Hooked up to a high flow oxygen machine, three IV drips and around the clock medications to stabilize his vitals, yet there was nothing they could do for the virus that was spreading fast to all his organs. There was no cure or treatment for Covid-19 and the doctors were baffled.

After three weeks Ram was stabilized enough to move back to the covid-19 ward but the complications would continue, from internal bleeding to infections to hair loss and dropping thirty-five pounds.

I've learned a lot about life, how short and precious it is, be thankful and grateful for each and everyday, appreciate everyone around you and for the love of God stop worrying about the future because tomorrow is never guaranteed.”

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NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

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give him medications and food. The doctors would talk to him on the Ipad and he could only be able to facetime his family once a day.

"Each morning when I got up I wondered if this would be my last day, so I took a selfie of myself just in case, this way at least my family would get to see the last picture of me." His family came twice to visit him but they could barely see him up on the fifth floor while standing in the parking lot. That was the only contact he would have from his loved ones.

Ram kept his hospitalization private. He didn't want his mother to find out because she was already frail and would worry. "Mother’s Day was very hard because I couldn't call my mom, she would know something was up." recalls Ram. The nurses would do a covid19 nasal test twice a week on Ram and each time it would come back positive. He needed to get three consecutive covid-19 negative tests to be able to go home. At week six he was able to sit up and had to learn how to walk again but could only take three steps. The virus had been in his body for 75 days and the doctors couldn't understand why. Finally at week seven they consulted with him to try to give him a nonapproved drug called Dexamethasone. The risk was high and may cause a lot of complications but at least he was in the hospital so he could get emergency care if needed. Ram realized he had nothing to lose after what he had already gone through. "At this point I had been on

DARPAN REFLECTIONS constant oxygen, had fought so many battles, so I figured why not give it a try, but now I needed more than ever to call my mother in case something went wrong."

Ram finally called his mom and explained where he was but she didn't take it very lightly.

He assured her that he was going to be fine and be back home in a few days. "I tell you the power of a mother’s prayer to their child is quite a miracle," explains Ram, "within that week I tested negative three times every 48 hours and the doctors were ready to send me home." Ram would be discharged after eight weeks, had lost nearly 40 pounds, was quite very weak and required medical oxygen. With a big smile on his face he was welcomed home by his family. "I was afraid to hug them and didn't for two weeks because I was scared to get covid19 again."

I tell you the power of a mothers prayer to their child is quite a miracle" explains Ram "within that week I tested negative three times every 48 hours and the doctors were ready to send me home."

Covid-19 is a very unique virus. Ram was severely sick and hospitalized but his family only had mild or no symptoms. This is called asymptomatic, where someone that is infected and is contagious has little or no symptoms. This is how the virus is spread among the young people.

It’s been eight months since Ram contracted the virus but he still has lingering long-term effects.

The virus has caused scarring and fibrosis in his lungs, he is still on medical oxygen from time to time. He has developed short-term memory loss, shortness of breath, fatigue and is high risk for a stroke.

Two days after coming home he started to share his experience through TV, radio and different social media platforms in hopes to educate people about the dangers of Covid-19 and how we can all keep each other safe. But there's a much bigger lesson he's learned, "I've learned a lot about life, how short and precious it is, be thankful and grateful for each and everyday, appreciate everyone around you and for the love of God stop worrying about the future because tomorrow is never guaranteed."

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DARPAN FEATURE

20 2020 LESSONS FROM

BY NAINA GREWAL

01

Health comes first

02

Mental health matters

The world literally came to a standstill in the face of a health threat. Without health, nothing else is possible. We must prioritize our health in order to thrive in other areas of life.

With less distractions of everyday life, the focus on mental health issues magnified as people’s mental wellbeing came more into the limelight, not just for others, but for themselves, too. Mental health cannot be ignored, and self-care is just as important as taking care of others or professional progress.

03

We are social beings

Human connection cannot be undermined regardless of how technologically advanced a society becomes. A simple handshake, hug, or even face-to-face exchange of words can go a long way in enhancing the quality of life.

Time is 4 0 subjective

We often complain that we do not have enough time, while COVID-19 put us in an alternate reality, where many complained about having too much of it. It all lies in the perspective. If we want to make excuses and not take actions to make time for what is truly important, we will always be in a time deficit. Just because you have the hours, does not mean you will actually do something with them.

05

Do not take things for granted Photos: iStock

Be thankful. We are not entitled to anything and should express gratitude for all we have.

Many parts of the world do not have Internet access throughout the Pandemic, for example.

Furthermore, lockdown scenarios go on to show that freedom, in all its forms, is a valuable part of life and can be compromised any time.

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06

We need less than we think

Reflecting SouthAsian Lifestyle

www.darpanmagazine.com

Many of the luxuries of our lives that we often equate to being necessities, are not central to our survival. Be it work-related, fitness classes, certain food choices, clothing or even people – we are capable of surviving with very little.

07

Do it now

Subscribe Today!

E: info@darpanmagazine.com | T: 604.537.7277

If you truly want to achieve a personal, professional, or spiritual goal, the only right time is now. There will never be a set of better circumstances as difficult situations will always present themselves in one form or another.

Change is the 8 0 only constant

“New normals” come about fast. Uncertainty has been the core of this year. The lack of predictability overrules any decisions we can make in life. Adaptability and agility are important traits that can help cope with shifts in your environment.

GURMAIL SENGHERA

RICK DHALIWAL

MIKE SANGHERA

JOLLY DHALIWAL

Preparation is 9 0 half the victory

“New normals” come about fast. Uncertainty has been the core of this year. The lack of predictability overrules any decisions we can make in life. Adaptability and agility are important traits that can help cope with shifts in your environment.

10

Being rich does not equate to happiness COVID-19 has impacted everyone, regardless of their economic position in society. While a solid financial foundation is vital, being rich cannot be the sole provider of happiness or health.

Other things matter and crisis does not shy away from those that are financially well-off.

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DARPAN FEATURE

11

12

Any global problem is a local problem We all thought of COVID-19 to be a problem of a specific country, but its global impact exponentially grew. Any issues around the globe – racism, climate change, or pay inequality – are just as much urgent at home as they are elsewhere.

Rethinking conventions is a must We automatically accept the current structure of society and industries. We are so used to how the world is. The way we work, live, shop, and move can be changed. Innovation should be encouraged. The world does not always need to stay the same just because that is how it has always been.

13

Public trust is rooted in effective leadership

We need to all be politically involved because we are all affected by the leadership we vote into government. During COVID-19 times, our political leaders are making significant decisions surrounding lockdowns, financial aid and national trade. These are leaders that, we, as democracies, put into power. We have the power. Vote.

14

Online mediums are the future Whether it be social media for keeping in touch with others or the use of e-commerce platforms for shopping, digital alternatives are on the rise and are here to stay.

15

Misinformation is a societal toxin

Social media spreads news fast. In a world where news can quickly turn into a form of entertainment, we must carefully assess the source and validity of news to ensure its reliability.

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16

Political divide is real

Masks are for safety yet have become a political statement. There is a strong divide in the world.

The current pandemic should emphasize science, not politics.

There is power in the collective

Simple behavioral changes can solve big issues. Just the act of washing your hands can be a big help to yourself and others around you. Being involved does not have to be elaborate; just the intention needs to be right.

19

No work is small

Frontline and essential workers are keeping us afloat.

Everyone from cashiers, janitorial staff, and floor managers, to teachers and medical professionals, make up the backbone of our communities.

20

Hope for the best, plan for the worst

Life throws curveballs and strategizing to crate alternate plans in case things don’t work out, can relieve stress and save us from disappointment. That said, the world needs hope to reach its fullest potential. As such, we move forward in hope, that together, we will come out stronger on the other side!

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AUTOLIFESTYLE EVENTS

BEAUTY

18

Less is more

BUSINESS

All for one, one for all. The pandemic shines light on the importance of community. The impact of an individual is strong and helps in the collective effort; we cannot just put individual needs first.

The actions of one influences the consequences for many.

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NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

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YOUTH SPEAK

4Develops teamwork skills

and new friendships

Life Skills, Sports &Youth

BY MEHAKPREET DHALIWAL

their self1Builds confidence and

Here are a few reasons self-esteem why you should sign Seeing their hard-work your child up for a pay off, and accomplishing sport or activity today! their goals helps boost the

PHOTOS: ISTOCKPHOTO

Y

52

ou’ve probably heard that exercise is good for our minds and bodies; it’s a well-known fact in our world today. However, exercise, especially at a young age, has more benefits than just helping you stay in shape. Participation in sports and activities positively impacts the lives of young children by helping them develop important life skills, character traits, and values. Whether team-based or individual, sports and other activities help with the physical, social, mental, and emotional development and well-being of a child’s health.

Experts say that children should engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day. Here are a few reasons why you should sign your child up for a sport or activity today!

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

self-confidence and esteem of children. Support from coaches, fellow teammates, and parents plays an important role in helping children feel proud of themselves. This also teaches them that they can achieve any goal in life, on and off the field, if they set their mind to it.

2Learning discipline Following specific game rules and regulations, and obeying the directions of coaches, referees and other older individuals, even if they may not agree with them, teaches children discipline and respect for those in charge. Children also acquire knowledge of how to accept constructive criticism and use it to aid them in their personal growth and development.

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Being on a sports team helps children develop social skills, and provides them with the opportunity to create new friendships. Engaging in team sports teaches them how to cooperate and be selfless when working together to achieve a common goal.

Most importantly, when children play together, win together, and lose together, it gives them a sense of belonging and closeness that’s difficult to find in other social environments, such as school.

how 5Learning to lose

Learning how to accept and deal with defeat is an important life lesson, and in most competitive sports, there is always a winner and a loser. Losing teaches children how to never give up, and become resilient by learning from your mistakes rather than allowing them to bring you down.

3Developing patience and persistence

By setting goals for themselves and working hard to achieve them, children learn the importance of patience and build persistence. They understand the importance of dedication and focus, and realize that hard work always pays off. The same principles apply in real life as well when trying to accomplish any goal, patience and persistence play key roles in determining success.

Lastly, parents play a crucial role in creating a positive environment for their children by teaching them the importance of focusing on having fun and trying their best, rather than winning or losing. Instead of criticizing their mistakes, guide them on how to effectively learn from them. Reassuring your child and providing them emotional support can go a long way. Most importantly, don’t forget to tell them to have fun and enjoy themselves while following their passions and accomplishing their goals - on and off the field!

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These three level, three bedroom bedroom plus plus income suite option These three three plus den, den,and andthree threebedroom bedroom plus income suite option Base 10 yourlevel, home. ©2020 Base10are – In our continuing effort to improve and maintain thebuyers high standards ofand Base10, the developer reserves the right toages. modify or change plans, specifications, features and prices without notice. Illustrations and homes ideal for first-time families of all homes are ideal for first-time buyers and families of all ages.

These three level, three bedroom plus den, and three bedroom plus income suite option renderings reflect the artist’s interpretation of the project. When built, actual suites, amenities, building interiors, exteriors and views may be noticeably different than what is depicted.

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These three level, three bedroom plus den, and three bedroom plus income suite option homes are ideal for first-time buyers and families of all ages.

Base townhome community conveniently Base1010isisChilliwack’s Chilliwack’snewest newest master-planned master-planned townhome community conveniently Base 10located is Chilliwack’s newest master-planned townhome community conveniently on Thomas Road just south of Promontory Road. protect customers and If being located close to shopping, schools and recreation isprotect important, you’ve found it! located Thomas Road just south of Promontory Road.

ToTo customers and ourour Base 10 isonChilliwack’s newest master-planned townhome community conveniently locatedsales on Thomas Road just south of Promontory Road.only To protect customers and our team, our Sales Centre is open by appointment until further notice. sales team, our Sales Centre is open by appointment only until further notice. located on Thomas Road just south of Promontory Road. To protect customers and our

ON THOMAS RD. JUST SOUTH OF PROMONTORY RD.

VEDDER RD.

With distinctive modern architecture on the outside and bright spacious layouts on the inside expertly finished in your choice of our designer colour scheme you’ll want to make Base 10 your home.

VEDDER RD.

Chilliwack’s newest Chilliwack’s newest Chilliwack’s newest Chilliwack’s newest townhome community townhomecommunity community townhome townhome community

SALES CENTRE OPEN

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

VEDDER RD.

Base 10 is Chilliwack’s newest master-planned townhome community conveniently located on Thomas Road just south of Promontory Road. To protect customers and our sales team, our Sales Centre is open by appointment only until further notice.

PROMONTORY RD. PROMONTORY RD.

THOMAS RD.THOMAS RD. NORTH

604.991.9951 604.991.9951 www.Base10Living.com www.Base10Living.com www.Base10Living.com www.Base10Living.com www.Base10Living.com THOMAS THOMASRD. RD.

NORTH

NORTH NORTH

©2020 Base10 – In our continuing effort to improve and maintain the high standards of Base10, the developer reserves the right to modify or change plans, specifications, features and prices without notice. Illustrations and

renderings the artist’s interpretation of the project.

When built, actualstandards suites, amenities, building interiors, exteriors may be noticeably different what is depicted.

This is not an offering sale. Any such ©2020 Base10reflect – In our continuing effort to improve and maintain the high of Base10, the developer reservesand the views right to modify or change plans,than specifications, features and prices withoutfor notice.

Illustrations and offeringreflect can only madeinterpretation with the applicable statement agreement of purchasebuilding and sale.interiors, E&OE. exteriors and views may be noticeably different than what is depicted. This is not an offering for sale. Any such renderings thebeartist’s of thedisclosure project. When built,and actual suites, amenities, offering can only be made with the applicable disclosure statement and agreement of purchase and sale. E&OE.

©2020 Base10 – Ineffort our continuing effort improvethe andhigh maintain the high standards Base10, the developer rightortochange modify plans, or change plans, specifications, features and prices notice. withoutIllustrations notice. Illustrations ©2020 Base10 – In our continuing to improve andto maintain standards of Base10, theofdeveloper reserves thereserves right to the modify specifications, features and prices without and and the artist’sofinterpretation of the built, project.

When built,amenities, actual suites, amenities, building interiors, andbe views may be noticeably different what is depicted. not an offering sale.

Any such renderings reflectrenderings the artist’sreflect interpretation the project. When actual suites, building interiors, exteriors andexteriors views may noticeably different than whatthan is depicted.

This is notThis an isoffering for sale. for Any such only beapplicable made withdisclosure the applicable disclosure and of purchase and sale. E&OE. offering can only offering be madecan with the statement andstatement agreement of agreement purchase and sale. E&OE.

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technology making us smarter, or is it doing quite the opposite?

Before diving into how technology influences intelligence, it is important to define the scope of what intelligence is. Psychologist, Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, puts the concept of intelligence into two buckets. One way of looking at intelligence is in its fluid form, which encompasses the ability to acquire and process information. An example would be the ability of computers to multiple layers of data, adding to the ability of a person to multitask and handle complex information. Dr. ChamarroPremuzic adds, “The second aspect of intellect — crystallized IQ — refers not to our ability to gather information but what we actually know. In simple terms, crystallized intelligence means knowledge.”

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Boon

BY NAINA GREWAL

Goon

PHOTOS: ISTOCKPHOTO

OR

People who rely on machines have given up something vital yet intangible. They've lost the ability to think it through a navigation problem themselves. They have become slaves to machines out of intellectual laziness

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he 21st century is often coined with the phrase, ‘the digital age’. Undoubtedly, technology is an overarching theme in terms of the advances and developments made in the past couple of decades. When looking at the underlying reason behind why we invest so heavily in the technological progress, a simple answer can be that of making life easier.

Automating processes and creating tools that help with a more efficient achievement of goals, is an opportunity to direct the saved time and energy into other areas. However, a pressing concern has been surging with the increasing onset of digital developments: is

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When it comes to assessing the impact of technology, it falls into both realms of intelligence. Technologies allow us to perform multiple calculation at the same time.

Assume the use of calculators and computers, using which students can perform various calculations. Figuring out the square root of a specific number is not necessarily manually figured, and it’s possible that the operator of the calculator would not be able to arrive at the answer without the calculator. Regardless, there is an enhanced ability to gather and process information. In fact, it is agreed that students in the 20th century would find it difficult to solve problems that students today can solve.

When looking at knowledge, it is hard to reach a definitive conclusion, as there is no limit to how much knowledge we can possess. Technology has made it easier for us to understand how the brain functions and therefore tap into its potential more than we could have before. There has been a gradual increase in brain volume and average IQs have increased over the years. Moreover, our brains are not that good at certain things, such as remembering details. Here, computerized technologies can step in to retain information, avoiding the inevitable presence of human error.

That said, there are some concerning

issues. Technology Times has explored the possibility that technology may be making us intellectually lazy. Right when digital platforms became the main method of working through and submitting school assignments, we became highly dependent on integrated spell check and grammar check mediums to validify our writing. Soon, this transitioned to texting on smartphones, where the phone can learn our texting behaviors, correcting and suggesting words as we type. The reality is that, in such instances, we no longer want to exert our brain power, despite maybe possessing the foundational knowledge of grammar and spelling. Overtime, however, our skillsets in this area may deplete, as we become more reliant on technology.

According to Psychology Today’s John Elder Robison, this turns into a problem eventually:

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“But people who rely on machines have given up something vital yet intangible.

They've lost the ability to think it through a navigation problem themselves. They have become slaves to machines out of intellectual laziness, and the laziness makes them less smart. The brain wiring that solves navigation problems allows us to solve other problems too.”

Conclusively, it can be argued that whether technology makes us smarter or not, lies in the hands of the user. Having technology allows us to arrive at conclusions faster, embody agility in a world with everchanging information, and become better at making judgements and decisions.

Intellectual prowess does not necessarily imply memorizing and regurgitating information.

Rather, it is the application of that information and choosing what action steps come out after analyzing it. Instead of simply consuming content, technology allows increased efficiency and efficacy. At the end of the day, technology is just a tool. Its impact is not rooted in that we use it, but how we use it.

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PHOTOS PRATHAM.ORG

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PRATHAM GIVING SECOND CHANCES THROUGH EDUCATION

by Mrinalini Sundar

www.pratham.org Pratham is one of the largest nongovernmental

I

n a country with a massive population, the one thing that needs utmost importance is education. And that is where Pratham comes into place.

Pratham is one of the largest non-governmental organizations in India and was co-founded

by Madhav Chavan and Farida Lambay.

The aim of the organization is to provide quality education to the underprivileged children in India. The organization was first established in the year 1994

organizations in India and was co-founded by Madhav Chavan and Farida Lambay.

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in Mumbai with an aim to provide pre-school education to children in slums. Today, Pratham works across 23 states and union territories of India and also has support pouring in from the United States, UK, Germany, Sweden, and Australia.

Pratham has several programs for children - from the time they turn three till they get vocational training.

One of the most popular programs of them all is

Early Childhood Education which looks at the holistic development of children in the age group of 3-6 years through the use of local resources, lowcost and appropriate material, and involvement of caregivers.

Then there is the elementary program which is tricky yet the most important stage. While more than 95% of children are enrolled in school, they haven't yet acquired basic knowledge. This is where Pratham steps in and helps children learn to read fluently and to do arithmetic confidently. Other than just textual knowledge, Pratham also believes in providing opportunities to learn, to keep the child motivated and engaged, to give a child support not just from school but from a community as well.

Second chances: While there are quite a huge number of dropouts from school, what is heartening is that most of the dropouts are generally girls.

Once a child drops out, it becomes extremely difficult for a girl to get back into the system and that's when Pratham comes into place.

This program aims to support women and help them complete their tenth grade in order to help them grow and explore future opportunities. Currently, Pratham has Second Chance centers in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Telangana.

Once a child drops out, it becomes extremely difficult for a girl to get back into the system and that's when Pratham comes into place.

This program aims to support

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women and help them complete their tenth grade in order to help them grow and explore future opportunities.

Under the Hybrid learning program, children between the age groups of 10-14 form a group and learn different subjects.

Digital devices and content is placed right in the hands of these children who are always eager to learn. However, according to Pratham's website, "Community-based children’s groups engage in choice-based learning and are guided by the coaches and youth members in the communities. The communities are organized to facilitate and support learning activities and assessments."

Having said that, children learn on tablets and do projects or conduct activities (e.g. role plays, playing games) and then present what they have learned either in front of a live audience of parents or on a video.

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In 2005, the NGO expanded and launched Pratham Institute, the vocational skilling arm. “The aim is to train youth from economically disadvantaged backgrounds (age 18�25 years) and provide them with employable skills, coupled with access to employment and entrepreneurship opportunities," the website states. The program provides entry-level jobs and placements in 10 major vocations. The holistic program starts with short-term, residential courses of 2 to 3 months, with a special focus on youth from rural areas. The program offers hands on experience in a specific field, youth counseling,

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industry linkage, and focuses on hands-on skills training.

Some of the courses taught are construction (including electrical, plumbing, masonry, and welding), hospitality (housekeeping, food, and beverage service and food production), and automotive mechanic, healthcare nursing, and beauty and wellness services.

One of the most important aspects of Pratham is their Child Protection wing called the Pratham Council for Vulnerable Children (PCVC) Established in 2001, the vision is "Every Child's Rights Protected, Every Child in School and Learning Well."

This wing of the

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The NGO expanded and launched Pratham Institute, the vocational skilling arm. The aim is to train youth from economically disadvantaged backgrounds (age 18-25 years) and provide them with employable skills, coupled with access to employment and entrepreneurship opportunities

conflict with the law, children who are victims of sexual abuse, and children belonging to the most marginalized communities. PCVC aims to provide these children with access to education and equal opportunities.

How can you help?

In order to help and support these children, the one thing you can do is donate. Monetary help can equip parents in remote and rural areas with tools to support their child's learning, and support governments and civil society with meaningful data to drive decisions. A young girl can complete her secondary education with the little help you provide. organization focuses on "workingMost importantly, Pratham has with child laborers and children not stopped functioning even in difficulty, to a rights-based during the pandemic. Adapting resource organization, working to the times, the organization and on the broad issues of protection its volunteers have come up with and safeguarding the rights of measures to work with children children." and have reached children in The organization focuses 12,000+ communities directly, on child labour, children with engaged 80,000 youth, mobilized special needs, children in over 100,000 volunteers, and built institutions, children suffering partnerships at scale. Donate today from substance abuse, those in and help a child back home!

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Be it an animal, plant or anything in between – we all need water to survive and thrive.

7

ways to stay hydrated if water is too plain or boring for you:

S

cientist and Broadcast Journalist, Madelyn Fernstrom, PhD, outlines 7 ways to stay hydrated if water is too plain or boring for you

W

ater is the common element that binds all life forms on this planet. Be it an animal, plant or anything in between – we all need water to survive and thrive. Up to 60% of the human body is made up of water. Apart from keeping your body at the right

1.S

prinkle some sparkle: Sparkling, bubbly or carbonated water may be a good alternative if you prefer soda-like drinks.

WATER WORKS By naina grewal

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Naina Grewal is a youth radio showhost on Red FM and a Business and Communication Joint Major from SFU. She won thenational Robert E. Oliver award for outstanding students interested in marketing from Advertising Standards Canada. Naina is anengaged community volunteer, passionate about creating dialogue, and stirring youth involvement. In 2015, Naina was recognized by the Surrey Board of Trade as a community role model and one of Surrey’s “Top 25 under 25”.

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temperature and flushing out contents that your body does not need, water literally helps all your organs to function.

As per Health Link BC, water loss occurs throughout the day in many different forms. This includes sweating, breathing, bowel movements and urination.

In the summer, we lose even more fluid.

When we exercise or when we are sick, additional fluid gets lost.

In order to maintain good health, there is a

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As per Health Link BC,water loss occurs throughoutthe day in many different forms. need to continually replace lost fluid in our bodies. In fact, a study released by the US National Library of Medicine (National Institutes of Health) suggests that athletes can perspire between 6% to 10% of body weight during physical activity.

2F

un with flavor: Adding fruit chunks or infusing fruits into water can help add a zest.

3J

ust juice: Mixing some water with 100% juice content is a more nutrient-rich option.

4V

enture into the Veggies: Fruits and veggies contain high amounts of water.

Consider consuming cucumbers, celery, cauliflower, tomatoes, leafy greens, watermelon, strawberries, oranges, and kiwis.

5S

wimming in Soup: Clear or vegetable soups are good sources of fluid.

6T

ea and Coffee: If you drink in moderation, the water loss of caffeine is outweighed by the fluid consumption of tea and coffee.

7D

ear Dairy: Choosing to drink low-fat or non-fat milk, or healthy alternatives like soy milk, is a good route to keep yourself hydrated.

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Water contributes significantly to overall health as it enhances circulation. There are many medical conditions that drinking water can prevent, including kidney stones, constipation and urinary tract infections.

PHOTOS: ISTOCKPHOTO

Many times, it just takes a little persistence to form the habit of drinking enough fluid throughout the day. Starting off the day with water before having anything else is a great way to begin the day right.

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This impacts physical performance. It can be a dangerous thing for your body if enough fluid does not get to your organs.

This is known as dehydration, when more fluid is leaving the body than entering it.

Water further aids in digestion and the absorption of nutrients, whilst carrying those nutrients and oxygen to your entire body. As such, water contributes significantly to overall health as it enhances circulation. There are many medical conditions that drinking water can prevent, including kidney stones, constipation and urinary tract infections.

The positive impacts of water intake are not just limited to the body’s internal systems. The skin also benefits from the hydration and produces more collagen. Moreover, water boosts the body’s metabolism, leading to high energy levels. There is also a correlation between water and mood, as dehydration leads to increased fatigue, tiredness, confusion and anxiety.

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The usual recommended intake of water per day is 8 cups, although this may vary from person to person. A health care professional should be consulted should you have questions about what is right for you.

However, Health Link BC recommends a quick, convenient way to tell if you are drinking enough water, “The easiest way to know if you're drinking enough fluid is to look at the color of your urine. If you're drinking enough water, your urine will be clear or pale yellow. A darker yellow means you aren't drinking enough water.”

Although the health advantages are clear, drinking enough water in a day can seem to be challenging. Many times, it just takes a little persistence to form the habit of drinking enough fluid throughout the day. Starting off the day with water before having anything else is a great way to begin the day right. It is also suggested that you keep a water bottle with you at all times, whether you’re on the move or stationary at a work desk; this increases the likelihood of you taking a sip.

It often seems like added work to ensure that you are drinking lots of water throughout the day. Staying consistent and forming a habit surrounding hydration can go a long way in maintaining your health from both a preventative and reactive standpoint. The evidence is strong and the fact remains undefeated: water works!

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FITNESS

RESOLUTIONS

FOR THE NEW YEAR

#3. Establishing a workout schedule When you’re working from home or at the very least spending a lot more time at home than usual, it can be easy to lose your normal sense of scheduling.

One day blends into the next, and you suddenly find that you haven’t made time to work out in weeks.

Make a resolution to resume a solid workout schedule. Set aside a particular time two to five days a week that will be your consistent “gym” time (even if your gym is in your living room), and stick to it. Use a calendar with event reminders or an alarm if necessary.

By NICK HILDEN

Usually the most common fitness resolution involves joining a gym, but for obvious reasons, you won’t find that one on this list.

I

think it’s safe to assume that most of us are ready for 2020 to end, and for 2021 to bring a year that will—hopefully—present new opportunities for growth and improvement. With that in mind, now seems like a great time to take a look at some potential fitness-related New Year’s resolutions that will help make the most of the year to come.

Usually the most common fitness resolution involves joining a gym, but for obvious reasons, you won’t find that one on this list. Instead, we’re going to emphasize goals that take into

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account the challenges presented

by COVID, and that will help you improve your health and fitness through these difficult times.

#1. Accepting #4. Finding a fitness COVID-friendly setbacks—then moving forward. #2. Getting gear cardio activity.

Since the beginning of the for the new year. pandemic, If you’re a fitness enthusiast, many people have struggled chances are that you were setting fitness goals of some kind right about this time one year ago. And it’s also likely that your goals were derailed by events beyond your control. In other words, if you’re like most of us, you’ve spent a lot of this year sitting indoors stress-eating and getting little to no exercise.

In a situation like this, it’s easy to beat yourself up and feel down for falling short of your intention, but that’s not going to help you reach your goals.

Now is the time to accept that things didn’t turn out the way you expected, and make a plan for overcoming current challenges and working toward new goals.

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Now that you’re in the right mindset to let past missteps go and move forward with purpose, it’s time to get the equipment you need for a solid at-home workout.

Because let’s face it—while there has been some good news regarding vaccines as of late, it’s still unlikely that we’ll be going back to the gym in full force anytime soon.

So load up on the essentials.

A home gym can be as large as you have space and resources for, but most people will do just fine with the basics. With a yoga mat, exercise ball, resistance bands, and a few different sized weights you can count on getting a fairly comprehensive workout.

to find ways of achieving a quality cardio workout. Staying indoors and restricted mobility when outdoors have made it seemingly impossible to get hearts racing. This is detrimental not only to one’s fitness but to overall health in general.

Now it’s time to choose a cardio activity that will get the job done under the present circumstances. That might mean walking or running around your neighborhood. It might mean buying an at-home piece of cardio equipment like a treadmill, elliptical, or stationary bike. Or it might mean simply creating a fast-paced cardio circuit that you can perform anywhere—especially your living room. A combination of burpees, jumping jacks, step-ups, bicycle kicks, and so forth can be more effective than you might think.

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If you’re like most of us, you’ve spent the past eight months managing your diet with varying success. Believe me, you can be forgiven for deciding to stay home and eat three meals of ice cream a day.

But that was in 2020. In 2021, it’s time to dedicate yourself to getting your eating habits under control in terms of both quantity and nutritional content. I don’t suggest trying to slam on the brakes all at once, however, as “cold turkey” diets tend to be short-lived. Instead, focus on making small adjustments that will be sustainable in the long run.

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#6. Adding yoga into your routine.

Yoga is a great addition to your workout routine under any circumstance as it promotes flexibility and reduces the likelihood of injury, and can support muscle growth and maintenance.

In the era of COVID, however, the mental benefits of yoga can be vast. Providing yourself with the opportunity to be calm and focused through these uncertain, stressful times will not only boost your mental health, but it can actually help with weight management too.

When we feel stress, our brain produces a hormone called cortisol that is designed to help push us into “fight or flight” mode. While useful under extreme survival situations, under normal circumstances that extra cortisol can lead to weight gain, among other negative outcomes.

So set aside time to follow along with some instructional yoga videos, stretch, and relax. 2020 was a difficult year, so let’s do our best to make 2021 a year of taking care of both our bodies and our minds.

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Improve your mood and mental health by giving a natural boost to your happy hormones — dopamine, endorphins, serotonin and oxytocin.

Listen To Music Music has an extremely uplifting effect on most of us. Studies have proven that listening to the music you love gives a boost to the feel-good dopamine and is a fabulous way to feel cheerful immediately.

In Pursuit of

Happiness

BY SHWETA KULKARNI

How To Give A Boost To Your Happy Hormones Naturally

H

appiness is what we all seek; it is the ultimate quest. While the question of what truly makes us happy has been debated by philosophers, prophets, and spiritual leaders for centuries, science simply defines happiness as a state of mind which is influenced by endogenic (biological, cognitive, personality and ethical sub-factors) and exogenic (behavioural, social-cultural, economical, geographical, life events and aesthetics sub-factors) factors.

Understandably, given the stressful environment we live in, the external factors are not always in our control, and thus sometimes we tend to feel low.

But the good news is, we are completely capable of making

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choices that can naturally give a boost to some of our happy hormones, which play a key role in making us happy.

These “happy hormones” include — Dopamine often called as the ‘feel-good hormone’ that is associated with pleasurable sensations, Serotonin which helps regulate our mood as well as our sleep, Oxytocin also known as the ‘love hormone’ is associated with how people bond and trust each other and Endorphins, which are our body’s natural pain reliever.

Interestingly, something as simple as exercising and stepping out can release these happiness hormones. Here’s a look at a few effective ways to naturally boost and make the most of these hormones.

Take Time Out To Exercise Following a regular exercise routine has multiple health benefits. Not only does it give physical health benefits, but exercising also has a positive impact on your mental wellbeing. Exercising is the most effective way to increase serotonin and endorphin levels, which in return boosts your mood and energy levels. A consistent workout regime also improves dopamine level and is effective to elevate your happy hormones.

So, the next time you feeling low, step out for a walk or hop on to the treadmill and sweat it out, and see how you start feeling upbeat again.

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Spend Time With Loved Ones One can’t deny the fact that our smile is the brightest in the company of our near and dear ones. Spending time with people we love has a pleasurable effect on us as it gives a boost to our oxytocin levels. Hugging or cuddling

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Soak Up The Sun

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Trust us, there is no better mood uplifter than the sun.

Studies have shown that exposure to sunlight boosts the production of serotonin and endorphins in your body.

Furthermore, your body also needs sunlight to synthesise NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

Make A Furry Friend

Practice Meditation

Dogs and cats are indeed our best friend as they can help release the feel-good hormones like oxytocin and serotonin.

Studies have shown that petting a dog or cat for just a few minutes releases the feel-good hormones and reduces the stress hormone — cortisol. In fact, spending time with your furry friend can also help lower blood pressure, improve loneliness and lower negativity. So, if you don’t have a pet yet, make friends with one now.

Meditation is another great tool for your complete wellbeing. Not only does it help reduce stress, increase focus, and improve your sleep habits, it also helps give a boost to dopamine production in your body. Research further suggests that mediation stimulates the release of endorphins, dopamine, serotonin and melatonin. When all these chemicals together flood the bloodstream, it makes the meditator calm, happy and blissful.

the ones we love even for 30 seconds fires up our oxytocin levels. Hence instead of showering your love on social media, go and hug your friend, cuddle your pet, kiss your partner.

You would be surprised to notice how showering love can make you joyful instantly.

vitamin D, which is an essential vitamin for the production of chemicals such as dopamine and norepinephrine and acetylcholine. So, go ahead, take a break from your screen, spend some time outdoors, and soak up the sun. Bliss is guaranteed.

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Get Productive

Eat chocolate

Engaging in productive activities, especially the ones you love, can result in the release of dopamine and endorphins. Be it painting, cooking, dancing — the joy of doing something you like is very rewarding and gives a boost to dopamine.

Dark chocolate is known to be an instant mood lifter.

Reason being — it triggers the release of the happy hormone endorphin. That apart, chocolate also has several health benefits as it reduces inflammation, lowers blood pressure and is also beneficial for your arteries.

Get A massage Ever wondered why a massage makes you feel relaxed, revived and relieved?

Well, touch-oriented therapies like acupuncture, chiropractic adjustments, hydrotherapy and massage are known to charge up all your happy hormones.

So, go ahead, book your long-pending massage appointment now.

Note: If you feel consistently unhappy, low and depressed, please see a doctor immediately.

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DARPAN HEALTH

By NAINA GREWAL

THE BITTER

TRUTH BEHIND SWEETS F

ood is an integral part of celebrating any culture. Without the zest and aromatic presence of flavorful South Asian delicacies, celebrations would just not be the same. Most of all, South Asian sweets are embedded in the very essence of festivals – in the capacity of a dessert and even as an exchange of gifts between families.

Laced with recipes passed down from generations, sweets are more than just food. Being at center life’s many millstone celebrations, these traditional sweets contain memories, stories and bonds of love with every bite.

That said, the reality of what we consume extends beyond

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its symbolic meaning. The sweets we consume without a second thought are contributors to growing health problems.

A study conducted at the University of British Columbia suggests an extremely high prevalence of diabetes within the South Asian population, propelled mainly by biological and cultural factors of high sugar and caloric diets. In fact, people from South Asian communities are known to be up to 6 times more likely to have type 2 diabetes than the general population. Given these statistics, it is important to question not only the management, but the prevention of such

How can you possibly give up your favorite barfi or the satisfaction of gulping an entire gulab jamun in just one bite? Be relieved. In this case, you can have your laddoo and eat it, too. health complications. While exercise and a well-balanced diet are solutions, regulating sugar intake remains the single most effective method to truly improve your quality of life by treating your body better.

But how can you possibly give up your favorite barfi or the satisfaction of gulping an entire gulab jamun in just one bite? Be relieved. In this case, you can have your laddoo and eat it, too.

Raman Deol, founder of Sweet Souls, points to a healthier alternative, rooted in her business that offers plantbased and organic Indian sweets, with just the right amount of natural sweetness.

Partnered with her co-founder, Karthik Chatapuram, Deol offers delicious, plant-based Indian-inspired sweets and snacks through her website, sweetsouls.

Photos: contributed by Sweet Souls

ca. Customers can offer specialized festival boxes and celebration cakes. Now having been vegan for 8 years, Deol recalls growing up accustomed to a particular flavor palette, filled with the unique Indian flavors that she absolutely enjoyed. When she made the switch to a plant-based diet, Deol realized she could no longer have a lot of the Indian sweets she grew up eating.

When she googled the availability of vegan Indian sweets, she found no options, especially here in the Lower Mainland. As such, Sweet Souls was born, with the aim

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Founder, Sweet Souls to provide mindful Indian sweets and snacks that leaves you feeling nourished, light, and satisfied. Deol says, “I’ve always been very health conscious and refrained from integrating refined sugar into my diet. I want to make sure that the person eating feels just as good or better after having the sweets as they did before.”

When it comes to refined sugar, which is a key component of regular Indian sweets we find in the market, addiction is inevitable. Deol outlines that white sugar is physically addictive, which is why it is used in many processed foods like sauces and chips to encourage repetitive buying behaviors. Many experts claim sugar to be more addictive than cocaine, leading to continual cravings.

Not surprisingly, South Asian desserts top the list of the world’s most fattening foods.

Over time, the accumulation of fat, which is

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plentiful in these sweets, leads to longer term risk of heart disease. Other side effects include weight gain, acne, and skin aging. Interestingly, a study conducted by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition points out that sugar can even weaken your immune system. Approximately 75 grams of sugar (less than two sodas and less than two cupcakes) is all it takes to send your white blood cells into a temporary coma, lowering the immune system for about 5 hours, independent of how physically active a person is.

Deol emphasizes that it is important to recognize that your body has an addiction to the sugar in order to break the cycle, “People simply haven’t experienced taking sugar out of their diet. I recommend that people do a 30-day cleanse and try a minimal or no-added-sugar diet. When you do that, you realize that, after a certain point, you’re not addicted anymore. Once you do take out refined sugar from your diet and then reintroduce it, you also see the effects it has on your body right away.

Energy crashes, headaches, and reduces focus are some changes that I noticed.”

Reduced sugar intake and doing away with refined sugar offers many advantages: Increased Energy: With no more ‘sugar rush’ or ‘sugar crash’ in the picture, more consistent levels of energy are reported, fueled by more nutritional foods that have a positive impact on the body and brain.

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Better Mood and Focus: Sugar is linked to anxiety and depression.

When we keep consuming sugar to ‘feel better’, we open the pathway to more mental health issues, stress eating, tiredness and just general bad eating habits. Those that make healthier choices report increased mental clarity.

O R T H O D O N T I C S

Weight Management and Reduced Inflammation: Sugar is the go-to source for empty calories that provide no nutrition. A low or no-sugar diet helps take and keep the weight off, alongside reduced inflammation that assists in managing chronic pain, headaches and even food allergies.

Given that a healthier alternative to sugar exists when it comes to Indian sweets, it’s time to make the switch – not just as individuals, but also as a community. The best part is that you won’t have to compromise on the tradition or the taste. “We’ve had a lot of people tell us that they like the sugarfree sweets better than the original version.

You can taste the flavors better as there are no artificial colors, nor processed sugars and flours; only fresh ingredients are used,” mentions Deol.

As you dive into the holidays, be mindful of what you eat and spark the beginning to a healthier lifestyle. Enjoying a dessert does not always have to be filled with guilt. Check what you eat and explore better alternatives.

Indulge responsibly.

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DARPAN RECIPES

Aloo Chaat Tacos

BY CHEF TARLA DALAL

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 5 minutes Makes: 5

E

ast meets West in this innovative Aloo Chaat Tacos. Borrowing a few interesting ideas from Mexican cuisine, this awesome starter features taco shells stuffed with a chatpata potato filling, laced with creamy curd and tonguetickling sweet chutney. If you want the snack a bit spicier, you can add green chutney or other spicy chutneys too.

Ingredients

Preparation

• 5 taco shells

For the aloo stuffing:

For the aloo stuffing: • 2 tsp oil • 1 cup boiled potato cubes • 2 tbsp finely chopped onions • 1 tbsp finely chopped coriander • ½ tsp chaat masala • 1/8 tsp dried mango powder (amchur) • ½ tsp chilli powder • Salt to taste

For the topping: • 5 tbsp chopped iceberg lettuce • 10 tsp whisked curd (dahi) • 5 tsp sweet chutney • ½ tsp cumin seeds (jeera) powder • 2½ tsp finely chopped coriander

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• Heat oil in a broad non-stick pan, add the potatoes, mix gently and cook on a medium flame for five minutes or till the potatoes are brown from all the sides, while stirring occasionally. Combine the potatoes, onions, coriander, chaat masala, dried mango powder, chilli powder and salt in a deep bowl and toss well. Keep aside.

To prepare tacos: • Fill a taco shell with one tablespoon of the iceberg lettuce and one tablespoon of the aloo stuffing evenly over it.

• Put two teaspoons of curds, one teaspoon of sweet chutney, half a teaspoon of coriander and one-fourth teaspoon of cumin seeds powder evenly over it.

• Repeat steps 1 and 2 to make four more tacos. Serve immediately.

About the Chef

T

arla Dalal has become a brand, which lives on…The late Tarla Dalal,

who started her culinary career with cookery classes, has written a total of 170 titles. From nutrition and health to Indian and international cuisine, from traditional to innovative, everyday cooking to grand menus, her books help readers cook what they like in the best possible way. She has reached out to so many people through her

Monaco Biscuit

Sev Puri

BY CHEF TARLA DALAL

Time: 15 minutes Makes: 22

T

he Stuffed Monaco Biscuit Sev Puri is quite innovative, and involves sandwiching the biscuits with a peppy potato mixture and coating it in crunchy sev. This salted biscuit sev puri with a twist can be served as a starter at parties.

When making the stuffing make sure you mash and mix it well with your hands, to ensure proper application on the biscuit.

Also serve the snack immediately after preparation or it will get soggy.

Ingredients For stuffed Monaco biscuit sev puri: • 44 Monaco biscuits • ½ cup sev for rolling

For stuffing: • ¾ cup boiled and mashed potatoes

television and live shows, not only in India but globally. Her cookery show Cook it Up with Tarla Dalal was aired weekly on Sony Entertainment Television for three years. In 2005, the Indian Merchant Chamber honoured her as Woman of the Year. In 2007, she was awarded the Padmashree Award for her contribution in the field of cooking. She is the first Indian to have been awarded in this category.

Preparation • Place a Monaco biscuit on a clean dry surface, spread one teaspoon of stuffing on it, place another biscuit on the stuffing and press it lightly.

• ¼ cup finely chopped onions • 1 tbsp finely chopped tomatoes • 1 tbsp finely chopped coriander • 1 tbsp sweet chutney • 1½ tsp green chutney • 1 tsp garlic chutney • 1 tsp lemon juice

• Roll the prepared stuffed biscuit in sev and coat it evenly from all the sides.

• Repeat step 1 and 2 to make 21 more stuffed sev puris. Serve immediately.

Images contributed by Tarla Dalal Team

• ½ tsp chaat masala • Salt to taste

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DARPAN Style

Maxi Coat

10 WINTER

fashion MUST-HAVES

BY SHWETA KULKARNI

M

ajority of us have practically spent the greater part of the year in the comfort of our PJs and tracksuits, courtesy the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown period. But for how long can we continue to tame down our sartorial game? This winter why not amp up our fashion quotient once again and dress to the nines?

Even if it is just for ourselves or a handful of people we are meeting or for those chic mirror selfies — who said dressing up was reserved only for occasions! We have put together a list of fashion must-haves, which will not only keep you warm in the coldest months but also help you make stunning style statements. So, read on…

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Knee High Boots Winter fashion is incomplete without the edgy warmth of over-theknee boots. A wardrobe staple when the chilly air sets in, knee-high boots have always been a favourite in the fashion circuit. In fact, the knee-high boot trend has been the hottest this year, so its but natural for us to include it into our winter fashion must-haves.

Extremely versatile, kneehigh boots can be worn over tights or styled with dresses and skirts or leather pants or denim.

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Choosing the right coat as the winter chill sets in determines your biggest fashion move.

We strongly recommend the ‘maxi coat’ of the 80s for this season. Hugely popular on the runways this versatile garment can be layered over any outfit, oozes comfort and spells elegance. From classic camels to whimsical prints to military styles, these long ankle-length coats come in abundant styles and can be worn during the day as well as the night. The maxi coat is sure to help you keep fashionable and warm this winter.

Puffer Jackets Fashion circuit is still very much obsessed with puffer jackets, and why not, these jackets not only ensure warmth but also add panache to your look. The puffer jacket is a great idea if you crave for comfort but also want to stay ahead of the sartorial race. Available in various styles with cinched waits, deep pockets, hoodies and unconventional zipper styles, a fashion-forward pufferjacket is a perfect combination of warmth and cosy style and an absolute wardrobe essential for winters.

PU Leather Coats Faux leather coat is a classic and remains to be one of the trendiest fashion garments this season. PU leather coat is the simplest way to look chic while not letting the cold get to you. Rock your coat with slim trousers or a mini skirt or simply tie it around the waist to create a dress-like silhouette.

nspired by art, culture and heritage, Hi-Class Jewellers has been in the fine-jewellery

business for five generations. With roots that date back to the British Raj, the Nanda family’s story now continues in Canada, with the local shop serving customers for 35 years. Hi-Class Jewelers was founded by the late Mrignesh Nanda in 1985, and is currently run by his wife & son, Seema & Gulzar Nanda.

The importance of design and quality, and a passion for noble metals, fine gems, and jewellery has been passed down from ancestor to ancestor, and across continents. The Nanda family honor their heritage by serving the community from their small boutique in Vancouver’s Punjabi Market.

At the core of Gulzar’s philosophy is cultivating an essence of community and honoring the deep roots his parents have set with their leadership. Gulzar describes, “I have been working at my parents store since I was 9 or 10 years old; Over the last two decades I have seen many families purchase their daughter’s bridal trousseau, I have seen that bride purchase jewellery for their newborn baby, and I have seen that newborn grow into a young adult who wants jewellery to express their own identity.” Gulzar adds that, “this has enabled us to connect families through every occasion.”

The business sees itself as being able to connect different generations through jewelry. Priding itself on its ancestry of unparalleled fervor and craftsmanship, Hi-Class Jewelers extends to you a promise across generations, creating timeless connections.

6570 Main St, Vancouver, BC www.hiclassjewellers.com

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DARPAN Style

One of the simplest ways to look chic and keep warm during winters is to use scarves. A thick warm scarf is an essential item to beat the cold weather and if worn the right way scarves can add oodles of pizzaz to your outfit. Given the fact that plaid is still pretty much hot on the fashion circuit, you can opt for plaid or blanket scarves to accessorize your outfit. Bright hues can also help add a dash of colour and excitement to your outfit and drive away the winter blues.

Turtleneck A cosy classic, the turtleneck sweater is a definite must-have this season. It can be worn on its own or can be used as an excellent foundation for layering different items to effortlessly pull-together a stunning look. One can easily team it up with skinnies, leather leggings, jackets and coats or simply layer it beneath a jumper to make a style statement. If you need one useful item in your wardrobe for winters, the turtleneck is undoubtedly your go-to garment.

Cashmere Sweater Nothing is as nonchalantly stylish as a cashmere crewneck sweater. Enjoy the comfort of its softness by carrying it alone or use it as a layering piece with a cute collared shirt peeking out from beneath to make a statement — the charm of cashmere sweater can never go out of fashion.

Cape Coat

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Winter Scarf

If cosy and chic are on your mind at the same time then make friends with cape coats this winter.

Cape coats are akin to wearing a warm and comfortable blanket over your shoulder and the good news is they are hot this season.

This arm-less coat not only creates beautiful silhouettes but also helps beat the winter chill.

Knitted Dress Worn as a standalone outfit or paired with a coat or jacket, a knitted dress undoubtedly is a winter essential for all the fashion loving souls.

Comfortable, warm and super chic, knitted dresses in any length can never go out of fashion. In fact, knitted dresses have appeared on runways across the globe season after season and are a stylish extension of your sweaters.

Give your outfit a sporty look by pairing them with sneakers or add a dash of sophistication by wearing them with boots, loafers or mules. When it is extremely windy outside and you wish for more warmth, you can combine them with leather leggings or pants.

Quilted Skirts The quilted trend is something to indulge in this season.

Seen on the forefront at most runways this trend is exciting and is available in various hues and styles including jackets, dresses and skirts. Like a warm blanket, this style will not only keep you warm but will also help you make heads turn.

Photo: Burberry

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Open book

PAN R A D

auty

Be

Celebrate

Beauty

From the brand that aims to make you look just like you but even better, comes the limited-edition IT Celebrate Your Beauty Book, Vol. 4 filled with a number of the brand’s popular, high-performing products. The all-in-one makeup palette for complexion, eyes and lips has many of IT’s problem-solving products that create a polished look in shades to suit a range of skin tones. The kit includes under-eye concealer, pore minimizing powder and bronzer, hydrating lipstick, blush, eye lid foundation, nine eyeshadows, eyeliner and brow powder. Blurred Lines Lipstick effortlessly glides over your lips to hydrate and add lush, full colour.

$60 |itcosmetics.ca

BY MICHELE MARKO

Neutral glamour British beauty icon Charlotte Tilbury has created a whole collection around Pillow Talk — her best-selling and oh-so flattering colour. For the holiday season, she’s put together a luxurious, rose-goldhued gift box filled with 14 full-size products in the Pillow Talk Dreams Come True set.

From multiple shadow palettes to illuminators and blush for creating a luminous look, the collection has everything to please the most serious of a beauty enthusiast. If the price tag is a bit too rich, there is also the Pillow Talk Lip Secrets gift set for the more budget conscious types at $60.

I

f there was ever a Christmas where we needed some real sparkle and glow, this year would be it. The gatherings may be smaller in numbers but that doesn’t mean our enthusiasm for celebrating needs to be scaled back. In the gift giving department, thoughtful should be the important deciding factor for both budget and the intended feel-good result.

The beauty of giving and receiving skincare and makeup is that those gifts keep on giving long after the holiday season. Here are some special seasonal offerings to inspire your gift giving or to add to your own wish list.

$450 | charlottetilbury.com, Holt Renfrew, Nordstrom

Classic refresh This year Estée Lauder released a reformulation of their popular Advanced Night Repair serum.

Patented until 2033, their proprietary Chronolux™ Power Signal Technology allows the serum to penetrate skin faster and maintain hydration for 72 hours, leaving skin smoother, less lined, firmer and more even toned. Lauder’s studies found the skin barrier strengthened and over time pores appeared diminished. This gift set includes a travel-sized Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Complex and Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion.

$138| Sephora, Hudson’s Bay

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Better than chocolate?

The only thing possibly better than 24 days chocolate is 25 days of bath and beauty treats. The Body Shop is offering three different sizes of Advent beauty calendars this year: The Ultimate Advent Calendar is packed with 25 fullsized products; the Big Advent Calendar has a mix of full size and mini items and while the Advent Calendar is all minis. The festively packaged sets offer a mix of the brand’s classic items and specially formulated holiday offerings.

The Ultimate set features skin care, bath and body, makeup and accessories to indulge yourself or a favoured one during the holiday season.

$69, $99, $169 | The Body Shop

PAN DAR

y

t u a e B

Well defined Benefit is a beauty brand that embraces holiday gift sets in a big whimsical way — ranging from an advent calendar brimming with mini versions of their best-selling products to a super value-priced collection of brow products. The Magnificent Brow Show, aimed at those who insist on perfectly presented brows, has five full-sized brow shapers and tamers. The set includes Gimme Brow Plus, Precisely My Brow Pencil, Goof Proof Brow Pencil, 24-hour Brow Setter and K-Brow.

$66 | Sephora, Sephora.com

Gold standard Bella Essence, the recently released Oscar de la Renta fragrance, is an undeniable holiday bedazzler. Housed in a glamorous, glitzy, gold bottle encased in threedimensional gilded flowers, the top notes of this eau du parfum reflect the sparkling fruitiness of grapefruit, red currant and raspberry. The heart is warm with rose, jasmine and vanilla. While the base is grounded in the earthiness of musk, ambrox and patchouli.

$85-$119 | Hudson’s Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart

Sweet scents Canadian skincare brand Cake has a yummy hand cream gift set trio that would serve perfectly as a stocking stuffer for one…or for three. The selection includes Cake’s deliciouslyscented Heavy Cream Hand Repair Cream, Milk Made Velveteen Hand Cream, Deserted Island Velveteen Hand Cream.

Pucker up The holiday season is all about sugary treats and this Sugar Lip Treatment Set from Fresh Cosmetics fits the bill but without the calories.

It consists of two mini-sized, blush-tinted lip balms and a full-sized Coconut Hydration Balm guaranteed to keep lips soft and chafefree for those New Year’s Eve kisses.

$17.98 | cakebeauty.com, Shoppers Drug Mart, Rexall

$38 | Sephora

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Botanical bliss Amandine Botanicals’ Inner Glow Face Oil is as much a luxurious aromatherapy experience as it is a gift to parched or tired skin. This young Canadian brand launched with just this one product that reflects its beauty ethos. Formulated with only natural oils that include calendula, squalane, carrot seed, jasmine and seabuckthorn, the treatment is non-greasy and absorbs into skin quickly leaving it feeling soft and supple. It works well for all skin types, including oily or acne prone. Use it overnight or incorporate into daytime beauty routines.

$120 | amandinesolbotanicals.com

Top-notch tools If anyone knows how important the right tools are for a polished makeup application, it would be former film and TV makeup artist JoAnn Fowler. As the founder of the Vancouver-based green beauty brand Sappho New Paradigm, Fowler made sure to include professional quality and cruelty-free brushes in her collection. The holiday set boasts seven brushes for eye and face applications: an angle brush for liner and brows, blush brush, concealer brush, eyeliner and eyeshadow brushes, foundation brush and shader. The standout star of the set has to be the Perfect Finish Buffer Brush. It creates virtually a flawless finish helping to minimise pores, even on mature skin. Use it for to apply full foundation or to just “buff” the foundation for a perfect finish.

$98 | mysappho.ca

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165-12899 80th ave Surrey BC

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604.503.6330

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165-12899 80th ave Surrey BC

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604.503.6330 NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2020 Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

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FASHION SPOTLIGHT

The Fashion ʻUndercurrentʼ Celebrating the 15 th

year milestone of the brand, merging indigenous Indian construction and embellishing techniques with his idea of the future, Gaurav Gupta emerges as a leading beacon of dramatic, cultural shift in the way the modern Indian bride and groom wear couture.

Ruhaaniyat

Gaurav

By Manish Malhotra

Gupta

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“Ruhaaniyat is my tribute to all the artisans and craftsmen of our country who have left the fingerprints of their art onto our heritage culture. It's about the eternal soul of the craft from two culturally rich regions (vibrance of Punjab and nazakat of Awadh) and how it continues to live on even today.‟

Manish Malhotra Fashion Designer

T

he Manish Malhotra x Mijwan collaboration celebrated a glorious decade when the couturier extraordinaire paid tribute to the craftsmen and artisans with his stunning bridal collection “Ruhaaniyat” fundraising opening show for the Mijwan Foundation at Lakmé Fashion Week 2020 Digital First Season Fluid Edition. Manish Malhotra and Lakmé Fashion Week have partnered to support artisans through a fund-raising opening show presentation.

The collection, a tribute to all the artisans and craftsmen of India, celebrates 10 years of the designer’s association with

Mijwan Foundation.

The craft inspirations, which were from vibrant Punjab, glorious Awadh and Kutch, embellished the amazing archival fabrics that were further highlighted with borders that glittered in zari woven with gold and silver.

The classic textiles were handbasted, and hand quilted with a muted colour spread of teal, pistachio green, dusky pink, grey, maroon, black and white.

The grandeur of the inspirations was apparent in the layered ensembles that swirled around the male and female models. With so grand a theme, the fabric base was as

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FASHION SPOTLIGHT

“I applaud the Mijwan Welfare Society, Lakmé Fashion Week, and Manish Malhotra World for this beautiful initiative.”

Kartik Aaryan, Bollywood Actor opulent when Manish selected the luxurious pure cotton and silk, along with lavish Mashru, velvets and muslins to create the impressive silhouettes.

Recreating the glory of the past, the construction moved from the traditional kurtas, khada dupattas, ghararas, and izar salwars for women and then to the grand Jama angarkhas and heavy shawls for men. A variety of kurtas in a pastel line gave the festive touch to the men’s wear, while long and short kurtas at times lean in shape; offered a choice for women.

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The very impressive oldworld charm was visible in the collection as the zardosi vintage accents for the embroidery had a marked influence. The grandeur of the lehenga, choli, and dupatta trios was visible in the embroidered trains that floated behind the ensembles.

Adding more opulence to the “Ruhaaniyat” collection, the Manish Malhotra Jewellery line, which reflected the art and designs of Punjab and Awadh; was the perfect glittering accessory. The handcrafted jewellery was visualised in pure gold with flat cut diamonds,

Bollywood heartthrob and the only muse of the couture film Ruhaaniyat, Kartik Aaryan. “Kartik is one of my favourite young actors and has been the muse to my previous collection as well. He adds his charm to this couture film with his magnetic presence,” shared Manish Malhotra.

Kartik Aaryan is excited for this initiative.“This is the first thing I’m doing in the last seven months of lockdown, primarily because this collection has got a larger purpose and has a noble cause attached to it and through this, I want to show my full support for this initiative.

It supports artisans, and I applaud the Mijwan Welfare Society, Lakmé Fashion Week, and Manish Malhotra World for this beautiful initiative," said Karthik.

He further added, “The visual spectacularity of Manish’s show always leaves you in awe. This time, in this couture film of Ruhaaniyat, Manish has brought similar passion and magic. In fact, it’s even better; we got to see his directorial talent. I won’t say much. See it for yourself.”

Russian and Zambian emeralds and pearls.

Manish adorned the heads of the models with passas, maangtikkas, and maathapattis.

Encircling the necks were stylish chokers, haars, two and three-tiered necklaces, as well as studs and Sahara earrings.

Ornaments for the hand were as dazzling with haathphools kadas, rings and stackable bangles twinkling on the wrists.

Manish Malhotra’s visually, exquisite, grand, bridal presentation of his collection “Ruhaaniyat” was a scintillating celebration of culture, craft,

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FASHION SPOTLIGHT

colours, artisanal skills and design that will complete the bridal trousseaux for discerning couples.

“My association with Lakmé Fashion Week continues to grow stronger. We continue in our journey to explore many layers of art and craft through our showcase, and there could be no better platform than to showcase our Ruhaaniyat collection with LFW.” He further adds, "Mijwan strikes the deepest chord of my emotional bond with craftspeople.

We just completed our ten years with Mijwan, and it gives me so much happiness to see the village growing bit by bit. Today, the craft of Mijwan is an integral part of our label, and we are happy that with our support, the village is growing, and we will continue to take bigger strides to empower not Mijwan but our all other craft clusters."

Photos: Manish Malhotra World

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VIRTUAL TRAVEL

12 New Year

BY SHWETA KULKARNI

Traditions From Across The World

BY SHWETA KULKARNI

From tossing old furniture pieces out of the window to smashing dishes on your friend’s door, various cultures across the world have some unique and interesting ways to welcome the New Year.

Joya No Kane, Japan With its Buddhists beliefs, there is a traditional ceremony in Japan called ‘Joya no Kane', which is celebrated in their temple by the locals, where the bell is rung exactly 108 times, which is a sacred number symbolising each of the worldly desires or sins in the tradition. Some people also pull on the costume of the zodiac animal that is associated with the upcoming year.

F

all in Vancouver is an ideal time to spend in nature and try some offseason camping. But if you’re not a fan of roughing it in the wilderness in a tent and sleeping bag, the good news is that you don’t have to. Irrefutably, each one of us is impatiently waiting to bid adieu to 2020 and is looking forward to 2021 with a ray of hope that the COVID-19 pandemic finally sees its end. Interestingly, while the whole world celebrates New Year, different cultures have their own intriguing and unique ways of celebrating the change in the calendar. So, while we eagerly wait to welcome 2021 with higher energy than ever before, here’s a look at some unconventional and fascinating New Year’s traditions from across the globe.

White Offerings, Brazil Brazilians have a beautiful and pristine New Year’s tradition. On New Year’s Eve, they head to the beach for their traditional way of welcoming the new year.

Dressed in white, people offer white flowers and candles to the ocean. It is believed that the pagan Afro Brazilian goddess of the sea — Lemanja is pleased by the offerings. This is known to bring prosperity and also blessings for mothers and children.

Toss Out The Old, South Africa

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Taking the age-old adage — ‘Out with the old and in with the new’— literally, people in South Africa have a unique tradition of getting away with the stagnancy of the previous year and starting afresh. They pull out their old pieces of furniture/ appliances and simply toss them out from their windows or terrace to the ground.

This is considered a way of getting rid of unnecessary clutter and symbolizes a fresh start, where old troubles and problems are thrown out. So, if you are in South Africa on New Year’s Eve, do watch out when you pass by someone’s window.

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First Footing, Scotland 'First footing' is a time-honoured custom in Scotland.

Just as blessing the house with holy water, the ‘first footing’ is another ritual considered very important. At the stroke of midnight, people visit each other’s houses and it’s considered as good luck when one puts first foot in the house at midnight along with gifts like shortbread or black bun or coins, and in return they are offered a small bottle of whiskey. The exchange of food and gifts is considered auspicious for bringing in the new year with prosperity, wealth and warmth.

New Year Tree In The Frozen Lake, Siberia The Siberian New Year tradition is the most unconventional and chilling one. Just like a Christmas tree, there is Siberian New Year tree, but unlike the usual Christmas tree, this one is not placed, where you can easily spot it, rather it is planted at the bottom of a frozen lake. Siberians thrilling New Year’s event takes place at Lake Baikal in southeast Siberia, which is the world’s oldest and deepest freshwater lake.

A bunch of brave scuba divers cut a hole in the ice-covered lake and dive as deep as 40 meters in minus 20 degrees to plant the tree at the bottom of the lake, while others dance outside celebrating it.

Practically a chilling New Year’s tradition of all.

Break The Glass, Denmark The popular New Year tradition in Denmark is the breaking of glass. It is believed that breaking of glass brings good luck and this custom is practised with a lot of enthusiasm. The ritual is to break and smash the plates on your friend’s door to bring them good luck. Bigger the heap of broken china on someone’s doorstep more their popularity.

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Banging The Pots, New Zealand The Kiwis love high energy celebrations and their New Year’s tradition of welcoming the New Year certainly goes with a bang. As the clock strikes 12, New Zealanders celebrate it by banging the pots and pans loudly.

Considering the time zones, it’s also one of the first countries to enter the New Year.

Burn The Mistletoe, Ireland You have probably heard of the tradition of kissing under a mistletoe, but have you heard of burning one? Well, there is a specific New Year’s custom for single ladies desiring a partner in Irish culture.

The women should keep mistletoe (a wild berry associated with fertility in European mythology) under her pillow on New Year’s night and burn it the next day. This practice is believed to attract love in her life in the coming 12 months. There is another unique custom in Irish culture where a loaf of bread is banged hard against the wall and doors to ward off the evil spirits.

Dinner For One, Germany Germany’s New Year celebration has an important highlight of eating their delicious doughnuts called Krapfen. That apart, Germans also follow the tradition of watching the English comedy ‘Dinner For One’ as the clock strikes midnight. It holds a world record in the Guinness book for the most repeated TV show ever. If you want to witness its popularity just walk into a bar during New Year and shout out the show’s signature line — “The same procedure as last year, Madam?” — in an instance you will hear back the crowd replying — “The same procedure as every year, James.”

Mouthful of Grapes, Spain No grapes are sour in Spain on NYE. Spaniards love grapes, especially just before the countdown for the New Year’s begins. Exactly at midnight, while most of us wait to watch the fireworks, you will see almost every Spaniard's mouth filled with a bunch of grapes. According to their ancient tradition, inhabitants in Spain eat one grape a second for 12 seconds right at the stroke of midnight. If one eats all 12 grapes it’s considered good luck for the next 12 months. A delicious New Year’s tradition indeed!

A Run With a Suitcase, Colombia If you love to travel and wish to keep travelling for years to come, you must visit Colombia on New Year's Eve. Colombians take their New Year’s celebrations seriously and have some interesting traditions for New Year’s called agüeros, which means omens. One of the most fascinating one is to run around the block with your suitcase at midnight. Colombians believe that if you take your baggage outside on midnight on New Year’s Eve and run around the block with it, your next year will be packed with travel and adventure. It’s believed that the faster you run the more you travel in the coming year.

Crimson Love, Italy Along with the mesmerizing fireworks, Italy also has some fun rituals for welcoming the change in calendar. It is believed that red is the colour of love and fertility, so young men and women who are looking out for luck in their love life, wear red undergarments on New Year’s Eve to attract cupid’s arrow in the coming year.

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SECOND GENERATION SUV

2021

DARPAN AutoREVIEW

BY BENJAMIN YONG

MERCEDES-BENZ GLA 250 4MATIC “The launch of the new GLA marks the culmination of the complete renewal of our compact car family,” says Britta Seeger, Daimler AG board of management member.

S

even years after the Mercedes-Benz’s first successful stab into the subcompact crossover segment, the GLA returns for a second generation completely overhauled with, as expected from the brand, innovative new tech, more comfort and even an option to make traversing unpaved roads in the tiny SUV a possibility.

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“The launch of the new GLA marks the culmination of the complete renewal of our compact car family,” says Britta Seeger, Daimler AG board of management member, in a news release. “The high demand for our SUVs shows that we can offer the right model for all of our customers.

Reflecting customer demand, these include two off-road models complementing each other perfectly: the GLB is the most functional and spacious representative of our compact class family, while the new GLA is positioned as its sporty brother and as a lifestyle-oriented SUV.” Slightly larger, the vehicle now stands at 1,611 millimetres tall, which is 100 millimetres taller

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compared the outgoing version, providing additional headroom for passengers. The headlights have a more streamlined shape, echoing the rest of the crossover’s aerodynamic form resulting in a low 0.28 drag coefficient.

HIGHLIGHTS MSRP: $42,400 Motor: 2.0-litre turbocharged four cylinder Horsepower: 221 @ 5,500 rpm Torque (lb-ft): 258 @ 1,800 rpm Gearbox: Eight-speed dual-clutch automatic Layout: Front engine, all-wheel drive Fuel economy: 9.0 L/100 km (city) 7.6 L/100 km (highway)

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Like the rest of the lineup, the grill now features a single blade, sitting above an aggressive blacked-out cut-out stretching the length of the front bumper. Other sporty details include shorter overhangs, raised “Powerdomes” on the hood, and reflectors, skinnier tail lamps and a wider load compartment accentuating the width of the rear end.

From a practicality standpoint, the GLA utilizes a unique door design that reaches over the sills making ingress and egress easier. As a bonus, it keeps the door frames and pant legs cleaner, and improves side impact collision in the unfortunate case of an accident.

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For consumers seriously thinking of veering from the beaten path, choosing the Premium Package bundles the Off-Road Engineering Package adding one more DYNAMIC SELECT setting that not only modifies the 4MATIC behaviour, but the engine and ABS as well for operation in slippery, uneven terrain.

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Occupants are greeted with a modern, clean looking cabin inside, dominated by two high definition displays — either seven-inch or 10.25-inch widescreen units — side-by-side acting as both the instrument cluster and infotainment screen.

The latter is powered by the Mercedes-Benz Use Experience, or MBUX for short, a voiceactivated control system. Like Siri or Google Assistant, users can say “Hey Mercedes,” followed by a command such as “turn on the air conditioning,” or “find the closest Chinese restaurant.”

There are two turbocharged four-cylinder engines available — one making 302-horsepower in the grade-topping GLA 35

trim, and a still capable 241 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque variant propelling the base GLA 250 loaned to Darpan for testing.

Our punchy motor, mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, is fine for daily driving and demonstrates above average fuel economy for its class rated at 10.1 L/100 km in the city and 7.6 highway.

The company’s proprietary 4MATIC variable all-wheel drive is standard equipment in Canada, and acts differently depending on which mode the DYNAMIC SELECT is switched to. Eco/Comfort sends torque primarily to the front axle for optimal stability, Sport favours extra power to the rear wheels and Off-road locks a 50:50 balance.

For consumers seriously thinking of veering from the beaten path, choosing the Premium Package bundles the Off-Road Engineering Package adding one more DYNAMIC SELECT setting that not only modifies the 4MATIC behaviour, but the engine and ABS as well for operation in slippery, uneven terrain. In addition, a live animation of the gradient and inclination angle can be shown on the main monitor, and a Downhill Speed Regulation function helps navigating steep declines.

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2020

CADILLAC CT5-V

BY BENJAMIN YONG

T

PHOTOS: CADILLAC MEDIA GALLERY

A descendent of the first car to don the “V” badge back in 2004, a fire-breathing CTS with a V8, the V-Series is the brand’s own in-house performance tuner.

(SVO) division or Lexus F. And its latest product might just be the prettiest one yet.

“I just love the design,” says Phillipe-André Bisson, product hink modern day Cadillacs communications manager at are still the same cars your General Motors during a virtual grandfather drove around in? media tour of the vehicle in The 2020 CT5-V would like a October. word.

“It’s unique: there are so many A descendent of the first car Bimmers, Audis and Mercedes [on to don the “V” badge back in the road], but you’re only going 2004, a fire-breathing CTS with to see a handful of Cadillacs, a V8, the V-Series is the brand’s especially one like the CT5-V. own in-house performance tuner And why should you pay extra akin to the Jaguar Land Rover for something that offers you Special Vehicle Operations the same performance and less

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HIGHLIGHTS MSRP: $65,523 Motor: Turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 Horsepower: 360 @ 5,600 rpm Torque (lb-ft): 405 @ 2,350 rpm Gearbox: 10-speed automatic Layout: Front engine, all-wheel drive Fuel economy: 17.6 L/100 km mixed city/highway (observed) comfort?” he says, referring to the often harsh ride of competing models.

At first glance, immediately noticeable is the fastback-style sloping rear roofline to the Escala flagship concept debuted at the 2016 Pebble Beach Concours

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providing an unmatched level of handling precision and comfort.

Next year, buyers will have the option of adding Super Cruise autonomous driving functionality. A combination of maps and sensors afford a truly hands-free experience, complete with automatic lane changes, on 300,000-plus kilometres of compatible freeways in Canada and the United States.

Next year, buyers will have the option of adding Super Cruise autonomous driving functionality. A combination of maps and sensors afford a truly hands-free experience, complete with automatic lane changes, on 300,000plus kilometres of compatible freeways in Canada and the United States. d'Elegance show. The sporty profile is accentuated by a long stretched out wheelbase and oversized 19-inch wheels.

Walk around to the front and the car appears to be permanently scowling at onlookers, wearing slim, slanted full LED headlamps. Below, the

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LED daytime running lights are vertically oriented as a design signature and matched at the rear with vertical LED taillights.

Additional exterior hints indicate this is not another runof-the-mill sedan. Unlike the regular CT5 variant, the V has blacked-out accents, mesh grill and air intakes, quad exhaust tips, and subtle yet functional trunk spoiler helping the rear tires stay glued to the pavement whether bombing down the Sea-To-Sky highway or lapping around the local racetrack.

Cadillacs have long been lauded for its plush interiors and the trend continues here, the vehicle possessing, “elegant, wide surface lines and simple interfaces, focusing on quality, attention to detail, authenticity of materials and impeccable craftsmanship,” according to an official product description.

Upscale and soft touch

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materials abound, such as 18way power adjustable heated and ventilated front seating upholstered in available perforated leather, genuine carbon fibre trim and thick leather-covered sport steering wheel.

Occupants might also be surprised at the amount of technology now offered, from a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system with built-in Wi-Fi hotspot to “Magnetic Ride Control 4.0.”

The latter is a special type of suspension setup utilizing variable magnetic fields to adapt to changes in the road surface on the fly,

While going toe-to-toe against rivals like the BMW M340i and Audi S4 is no problem courtesy of a 360-horse twin-turbo V6 engine, the real beauty of the CT5-V is how customizable it is for whomever is behind the wheel. Accessible via the central display, V-Mode personalization allows users to independently change steering sensitivity, suspension stiffness and even the loudness of the exhaust — something the neighbours should appreciate.

Rear-wheel drive is standard, although the all-wheel drive model (+$2,200) is better suited to Vancouver’s wet climate thanks to the ability to send torque to any slipping wheel instantly increasing traction.

Starting at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $49,798 the 2020 Cadillac CT5-V is sold in a wide assortment of metallic colours ($900) including Satin Steel, Evergreen, Shadow, Wave, Royal Spice as well as a non-metallic Velocity Red and Red Obsession Tintcoat ($1,395).

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2021

THE RETURN OF THE TURBO

MAZDA3

BY BENJAMIN YONG

TURBO

“Our goal [with this model] is pretty simple: to deliver drivable performance that's not just about wide open acceleration, but letting the driver precisely control how the acceleration is delivered.”

fter seven long years, the Mazda3 finally receives a forced induction powerplant once again. No, it’s not branded as a “Mazdaspeed,” or offered in a manual for that matter — sadly the former days are likely gone as the company further moves toward a premium direction. However the fun factor is retained, albeit in a more civilized package.

Our goal [with this model] is pretty simple: to deliver drivable performance that's not just about wide open acceleration, but letting the

PHOTOS: MAZDA PRESS ROOM

– Jay Chen, Mazda R&D powertrain manager

A

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driver precisely control how the acceleration is delivered. We want the driver to always have this subconscious sense of confidence or connection while driving the car because it has the potential to let you go very, fast with very little effort,” said Mazda R&D powertrain manager Jay Chen during a virtual product presentation.

“It's our concept of horse and rider as one (known as Jinba Ittai in Japanese), when the car's response matches the driver's input to the accelerator pedal without delay or misinterpretation.

HIGHLIGHTS MSRP: $32,900 Motor: Turbocharged 2.5-litre four cylinder Horsepower: 250 @ 5,000 rpm (93 octane) Torque (lb-ft): 320 @ 2,500 rpm (93 octane) Gearbox: Six-speed automatic Layout: Front engine, all-wheel drive Fuel economy: 10.8 L/100 km mixed city/highway (observed) We want this in any driving scene regardless of whether you're crawling through traffic or if you're actually charging up the winding road.”

A 250-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-litre SKYACTIV-G engine, similar to the unit found in the Mazda6 mid-size sedan and CX-9 SUV, sits under the hood of the AWD GT trim only, and being shoehorned into the much smaller 3 allow things to really get cooking. This is particularly true at lower revs due to the 320 lb-ft of torque (using 93 octane), a number more than double the output of the naturally aspirated 2.0-litre mill in the standard variant.

Taking the hatchback — also available in a four-door format — out

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E: info@darpanmagazine.com | T: 604.537.7277 for a couple of days at a socially distanced first drive event in early November, that increased torque was obvious on the long stretches of highway on the route out to Maple Ridge. Equally noticeable was the pleasant (electronicallyassisted?) exhaust note filling the cabin, the true source of which doesn’t appear to be addressed anywhere in the promotional materials.

The huge boost in torque, with little lag as a result of the Dynamic Pressure Turbo system producing a quick spool-up time, does make it feel like as though there are a couple of extra cylinders hiding somewhere. In classic Mazda fashion, handling is nimble and predictable, made even better via the inclusion of an enhanced version of G-Vectoring Control Plus vehicle dynamics system exclusive to Turbo models.

When Sport mode is turned on, the six-speed automatic transmission automatically downshifts under braking, before entering a corner rather than in the middle, so proper balance is maintained. In addition, a retuned, stiffer suspension up front keeps the ride quality both comfortable and sharp.

Boasting the same silky smooth lines as all fourth generation Kodo “Soul of Motion” Design Mazda3s, there’s no hood scoop or other obvious identifiers of the underlying force-fed motor. Instead, look for subtle changes befitting the company’s current shift towards elegance such as the larger dual exhaust outlets and turbo badging on the rear lid and engine cover.

Inside, consumers can opt for luxurious details including a heated leather steering wheel with paddle shifters, beautiful red leather seating, frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror and chrome detailing. Among the standard features is a 12-speaker Bose stereo, 8.8-inch infotainment display and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity.

The 2021 Mazda3 GT Turbo starts at $32,900 MSRP.

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PHOTOS: PORSCHE PRESSROOM

2020

BY BENJAMIN YONG

PORSCHE

CAYENNE COUPÉ “The significantly more steep roof line that falls away to the rear makes the Cayenne Coupé appear even more dynamic, and positions it as the sportiestlooking model in the segment,” says Michael Mauer, Style Porsche vice president.

Y

ou might be thinking to yourself, what on earth is a Porsche Cayenne Coupé?

Don’t worry — it’s not a twodoor monstrosity like the Ranger Rover Evoque Convertible.

Think rather a shorter and wider version of the popular model, targeted at consumers yearning for an SUV that puts a bigger emphasis on the “Sport” part of the acronym. Darpan tested one out over the course of a week to see what the fuss is about.

First thing most people will notice is of course the profile of

the mid-size luxury crossover, which looks as though the top has been stepped on slightly.

“The significantly more steep roof line that falls away to the rear makes the Cayenne Coupé appear even more dynamic, and positions it as the sportiest-looking model in the segment,” says Michael Mauer, Style Porsche vice president in a news release.

Enhancing the appearance is a shallower windshield and A-pillar, resulting in a roof edge nearly 20 millimetres lower than the standard variant. The back doors and quarter

HIGHLIGHTS MSRP: $103,000 Motor: 2.9-litre turbocharged V6 Horsepower: 434 @ 5,700 rpm Torque (lb-ft): 405 @ 1,800 rpm Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic Layout: Front engine, all-wheel drive Fuel economy: 13.1 L/100 km (city) 10.5 L/100 km (highway)

panels are reshaped as well, broadening the shoulders of the vehicle.

Designers and engineers have overlooked no detail. This includes widening the rear track by 18 millimetres, and relocating the license plate bracket from the liftgate to the bumper in order to reinforce the visual of a muscular body sitting closer to the ground.

Something not seen too often on crossovers is the addition of an

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adaptive spoiler. Often reserved for cars like the 911, the horizontal sill rises up overtop of the tail lamps when the driver is traveling at speeds above 90 km/h to increase downforce. There is also another static spoiler installed above the back window.

In certain similar “coupé” style competitors the smaller greenhouse can result in less headroom, however not here since the second row bench is 30 millimetres lower compared to the regular Cayenne. No matter where you’re sitting the seats are comfortable and supportive in classic Porsche fashion, and the chairs up front are especially so offering eight-way adjustability.

The S grade that we were behind the wheel of packs a 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V6, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, generating a healthy 434 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque.

The performance is more than adequate to pull the 2,000-plus kilogram vehicle around, even allowing a sub-five-second 0 to 100 km/h time.

Porsche says the Coupé is every bit as capable in the off-road department as the normal Cayenne — a claim I personally can’t speak to as I stayed on city streets — but the feature list is nevertheless impressive: standard all-wheel drive with the Porsche Traction Management system and a special Gravel, Mud, Sand and Rock driving modes.

For buyers who like to customize, adding the optional three-chamber air suspension boosts maximum ground clearance up to 244 millimetres, and the wading depth to 528 millimetres when the situation calls for fording a stream or two.

The 2020 Porsche Cayenne Coupé S starts at MSRP $103,000 is also available in a base trim with a 335-horse single-turbo V6 ($87,700), and the redundantly named yet much spicier Turbo ($152,000) making 541 horsepower and 567 lb-ft of torque.

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I want to give the world a hug after Covid ends.�

BY MRINALINI SUNDAR

T

here is no one way to define Shweta Tripathi - thanks to the kind of roles she picked in the past. From the awardwinnning Masaan, Mehandi Circus, Raat Akeli Hai, Haraamkhor, Cargo, and her latest, Mirzapur, she has been seen in some very diverse projects.

Shweta is currently shooting for Escaype Live in which she runs a parlour. She is also basking on the success of Mirzapur Season 2. The firecracker of an actress talks to DARPAN Magazine in an exclusive interview.

Swetha

Tripathi

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Q&A Tell us a little about your character transformation in Mirzapur.

Golu is a head strong girl who is challenging her own believes. You are sometimes put in situations when your knowledge and understanding, everything else you believed in fails you. That's what happened to her by the end of season 1. She is at a stage where she doesn't know what is right anymore. Two people who she loved the most and admired the most were snatched away from her. So her goals and priorities has changed so has her journey.

As an actor, my journey was super satisfying to play Golu. But it was not easy getting a hold on Golu especially because she is so complicated. For me, it was a whole new experience playing the same character in a different tone everything about her has changed in this season- her haircut, scar on the forehead, clothes have changed, style, etc. I guess only the watch on her hand is the same! The way she looks at everything around her in the world has changed.

We are sure; you miss the old characters that are not to be seen in this season.

I miss Vikrant and Shreya but mostly I miss Bablu and Golu.

Well, the old characters had to go for the season to continue. I watched the last episode of season 1 so many times because it is what makes the crux for the next season.

That's why season 2 is all about revenge and the fury. What I would urge the public to do is not just look at the guns and violence but analyze why a certain character

is behaving the way they are. We need to find out why Munna did what he did and how did he get there. I want people to understand the characters and how they could impact the society.

Was holding a gun fun?

It was different but I honestly don't want my life to be like Golu. It is better to stay away from guns and violence because nothing good comes out of it. I didn’t have a lot of fun shooting or it is in no way soothing to ears. In fact you are always worried that it shouldn't hurt anyone. But it had to be done.

More importantly, I want to learn different things as an actor and that's the best part about being one. You get to experience things and emotions which we would never otherwise in life.

plays at Prithvi Theatre, so all that I have seen in my childhood keeps accumulating in the subconscious mind and has a slight influence while selecting roles. I also go by instinct - the something about the role has to excite me.

Is Slow Cheeta aka your husband Chaitanya Sharma part of this process?

Yes, he does get involved in the process. I go to him for everything- whether I am sad, happy, hungry, or just have anything to share. He is my most favourite person in the world. He keeps me grounded, and we are each other's critiques and support all the time.

What do you have to say about the advanced OTT platform these days?

What is your acting process like? Especially OTT has made everything when you are doing accessible; the content is coming mature scenes like masturbating in season 1? from all over the world. Which That was the most boring scene it was as simple as having coffee.

There was a lot more to the scene - the music, camera setup, VO, etc.

But I think every character I do is different and there is so much to learn and know. My upcoming show sees me running a parlour and now I am learning how to thread eyebrows and upper lip.

There are small things that you need to learn which make the character what they are and I love that about the process.

What goes on in that head when you select movies?

We think, we choose the roles but I think a lot has to do with one’s upbringing. I had a very cultural brought up - my dad is an IAS officer, mom a teacher, both retired now, but I grew up in a supportive environment where caste, height, one’s appearance were never given importance. My parents gave a lot of importance to books. Whenever I speak to my father, he asks me two things- what did you read and are you working out? We have been watching art movies, watching

means your competition is the world now what with Korean dramas and Spanish shows. Even my parents have started watching Korean series. So the content has to be so much between now and we need to deliver otherwise the viewer switches immediately.

From Boston to Bihar, they can watch content on any screen and unlike movies the characters are all very real. People are pushing the boundaries to deliver relatable content. Having said that, I would love to see myself on the 70mm.

That’s what we watched while growing up, we dreamt of that all the time and the experience of community watching is unmatched. But I will love to do both.

punched me in my stomach.

Everything about the movie was on point. I would love to act with Ranbir Kapoor at some point. I enjoy drama a lot, but I want to try different things. So I believe when I do that, I will become better at drama

How has Covid been for you?

It was personally not bad; a lot of the news coming out was disheartening. It's so important to hold on to the silver lining whether thick or thin. I think it is so important to celebrate the smaller things in life. I live with my in-laws and his entire familyso we will play games, and the biggest question everyday would be what are we cooking today?

I did not binge watch a lot. I came under social media pressure with everyone making pasta and ice cream but then I realised do what you want to do- whether you want to do something or do nothing at all. Professionally, I had Raat Akeli Hai, Cargo, Mirzapur, and The Gone Game come out during the pandemic, so I cannot complain.

What is the first thing you will do after Covid ends?

I want to hug everyone. The world needs a hug. We need to do this for ourselves and every person in the world. If something needs to be spread, it’s not the virus, but it should be love, hope, and happiness.

Tell us your favourite director and genre.

I have had the privilege to work with so many great actors – Nawaz bhai, Vicky Kaushal, Vikrant, Jeethu, and we all learn so much from our co-actors. I would love to work with David Fincher or Martin Scorsese. I watched Jojo Rabbit and felt like someone

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Thrillers, horrors, dramas — The COVID-19 pandemic simply couldn’t stop filmmakers from doling out interesting films.

QUARANTINE WONDERS: Impressive Films Made During The Lockdown

BY SHWETA KULKARNI

W

ith governments across the globe announcing a series of necessitated lockdowns earlier this year, the COVID-19 pandemic undeniably brought life to a standstill for monthslong.

However, as much as it tried to, the dangerous coronavirus outbreak failed to put the power of creativity under quarantine.

So, while COVID-19 struck at the heart of entertainment — the film industry, halting film shoots of big productions, shutting cinema halls and postponing big movie releases. Some creative minds tackled through all the hurdles this pandemic

brought, adapted to the changing times and doled out impressive films, shorts and webseries, thereby giving a new definition to the entire filmmaking process.

What’s more, while the world is still grappling with the ongoing pandemic, more and more enthusiastic filmmakers are joining the tribe of these creative individuals, and are developing potent content, which is not only interesting but is also a reflection of the trying times we are currently living in.

We have pulled out a list of such impressive films that were shot entirely during the lockdown, strictly adhering to all the safety norms. So, without further ado, here are some quarantine wonders that every cinephile should watch.

C U Soon Directed by: Mahesh Narayanan Staring: Fahadh Faasil, Roshan Mathew, Darshana Rajendran There is more than one reason to applaud this gripping thriller. For starters, it is not only India’s first computer screen film but also the first Indian film to be shot entirely during the lockdown and to have a direct-to-stream release. Shot mostly on iPhone and with a 32-person crew, the movie is inspired by a video sent by a woman caught in human trafficking in the Middle East to her parents and revolves around a software engineer Kevin (Fahadh Faasil) from Kerala, who helps his Dubai-based cousin Jimmy (Roshan Mathew) find his missing love interest Anu (Darshana Rajendran). Speaking about the film, actor and film’s producer Fahadh said in an interview, “During the lockdown, Mahesh (director), and I started talking about new possibilities in cinema. One can play around, explore different techniques, and redesign a film on the edit table – go closer to a character or make another character more prominent. So, we collaborated on Mahesh’s idea.” He added, “We were given a proper script, attended a three-day workshop, lived in one building and met in the evenings. We didn’t want to make it look like we were working, we just wanted to have fun.” Released in September on Amazon Prime Video, C U Soon has already received rave reviews from the critics and the audience alike.

Putham Pudhu Kaalai Directed by: Sudha Kongara, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Suhasini Mani Ratnam, Rajiv Menon, Karthik Subbaraj Staring: Jayaram, Urvashi, Kalidas Jayaram, Kalyani Priyadarshan, M. S. Bhaskar, Ritu Varma, Shruti Haasan Starring a stellar ensemble cast, Putham Pudhu Kaalai is another anthology film shot during the pandemic that shouldn’t be missed. Set against the backdrop of the 21-day COVID-19 lockdown in India, the film narrates five heart-warming tales that explore relationships between different age groups of people. Commenting about the anthology film, Aparna Purohit, Head of Indian Originals, Amazon Prime Video said in a statement, “Putham Pudhu Kaalai was born with the intent of talking about hope, love and new beginnings and the fact that art finds expression in the most challenging times.”

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Host

remotely by a medium for a Directed by: Rob Savage séance, Host is entirely filmed Staring: Haley Bishop, Jemma on a conference call app.

Interestingly, the idea for the Moore, Emma Louise Webb film originated with a prank.

While Ben Wheatley’s horror Commenting on it, director film is yet to release, another Rob Savage said, “Before the horror film made during the lockdown, I had been hearing coronavirus outbreak has weird noises from my attic, and already released and is warmly my friends were teasing me that received by horror fans from some serial killer was up there across the globe and has or something. I investigated garnered rave reviews from it, there was nothing up there, all quarters. Centred around but I thought bored during a lockdown Zoom call, where lockdown it would be a good a group of friends are joined opportunity to scare my friends,

so I got them on Zoom and played a scary clip. It ended up blowing up, and going viral, which was really fun.” Adding further he said, “I don’t know if you remember but at the start of lockdown, there were a lot of people sarcastically saying “Who’s going to be the first to set a film on Zoom?” It wasn’t really something I was entertaining, but then the video went viral and we thought “OK, it kind of works. It’s not annoying to watch something in this format.”

In The Earth

Home Stories

narrates interesting tales of an Directed by: Ben Wheatley Directed by: Sahirr Sethhi, online wedding, a one-night Anubhuti Kashyap, Tanvi Gandhi, Staring: Joel Fry, Ellora Torchia, Hayley Squires, Reece Shearsmith stand turned into a three-week Ashwin Lakshmi Narayan Among the few filmmakers who didn’t let the pandemic hamper their standoff, a germaphobe who Staring: Arjun Mathur, Saba Azad, creativity is the ‘Rebecca’ fame director Ben Wheatley. The writerrefuses to leave the house, and Imaad Shah, Tanmay Dhanania, director conceived a horror film – In The Earth, during the quarantine a delivery executive running a Veer Rajwant Singh, Apoorva Arora and completed the American-British film in 15 days in the midst personal vlog, through its four Home Stories is a delightful of the coronavirus lockdown. Detailing the shooting process, the shorts — Out With It, Will You collection of four short films based Be My Quarantine, Delivering director said in an interview, “There were about 30 crew and we all around the COVID-19 pandemic, ended up in this hotel. We had to rent the entire building out and no Smiles and Web Ne Bana Di which wonderfully captures the one went home. We just did it.” Further describing the film, he said, Jodi. Shot completely indoors, essence of life under quarantine.

“This new film is within the context of COVID, but it’s not about it. It’s following all safety protocols, Starring a bunch of talented not like, ‘cough cough, oh my god!’ – or ‘I’ve been trapped in the and with personal devices like actors like Arjun Mathur, Apoorva house for weeks!’ It’s not one of those films. We’ve all lived that, we smartphones, cameras, and Arora, Veer Rajwant Singh, don’t want it.” Well, we can’t wait to watch this one. laptops, this Netflix offering is Imaad Shah, Saba Azad, and indeed a lockdown gem that Celebrating of bePublishing Excellence Tanmay Dhanania, the anthology Years shouldn’t missed.

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GERALDINE VISWANATHAN

BY JORGE IGNACIO CASTILLO

G

eraldine Viswanathan has made a point of choosing

roles that make impossible to pigeonhole her: In Blockers she was the rebel daughter set on making her senior prom a memorable one; in Bad Education, Geraldine was the overzealous student that uncovered a massive case embezzlement in the New York educational system; In Hala, the actress became a

after their favorite movie star, Dr. Zhivago’s Geraldine Chaplin. Her middle name is Indira.

While she was born in Australia, Geraldine’s father is of Malaysian Tamil descent and her mother is Swiss-German: “I was pretty much the only brown kid in my school. I felt

“When I get messages like ‘I’ve never seen someone that looks like me on screen’ I’m reminded that this is a part of something bigger.”

very on the outside and overlooked”.

The actress is well aware that she has benefited from an industry making strides towards diversity: “I feel very fortunate to be entering (the industry) at this time where I am able to play a leading role or a role where I don't feel completely defined by my ethnicity. When I get messages like ‘I’ve never seen someone that looks like me on screen’ I’m reminded that this is a part of something bigger.”

Pakistani-American teen torn

increasing diversity in the casting

between her upbringing and the

beyond the token “best friend” role:

Geraldine has a regular gig in

world opening in front of her.

“I was born in '95 and didn't feel like

Miracle Workers, a hard-to-find

I saw myself reflected on the screen,

show despite a high wattage cast

Geraldine is as irrepressibly upbeat

especially in romantic comedies. I

that includes Daniel Radcliffe and

as her characters. Laugh comes

think it was pretty much exclusively

Steve Buscemi. The actress goes

easy to her and she’s polite enough

skinny, white girls.”

from playing an angel to a peasant

In person (if over the phone)

to ponder every answer, even if the

Whenever not making movies,

Your character in The Broken Hearts Gallery is very easy to relate. Is there any aspect of her you found challenging to portray?

Her extremity in her collecting of things. I love holding on to mementos from experiences and relationships, but I don’t keep crab cakes from a date. I draw the line at anything that rotes.

Watching the film, I recognized an acquaintance of mine in a minor role. He described you as “the most gracious number one he has worked with.” Do you make a point of creating a welcoming environment?

That’s so lovely. I’m so unaware of being number one on the call sheet, I want to talk to everyone. I want everybody to feel creatively free and as excited as I am. It felt like a dinner party and we had new guests every day. It so strange to me that people are not nice to others on set. We’re so lucky to have this job and I feel nothing but gratefulness.

What’s the best professional advice you’ve received?

Once a director told me to do something different every take and that unlocked a lot of things for me. That’s my favorite nugget of wisdom, along with having fun. Fun is infectious.

While not her first time as the

from one season to the next (worth

question has been posed to her

lead, The Broken Hearts Gallery

mentioning, her ability to mimic an

dozens of times.

is Geraldine’s most high profile

American accent is uncanny). It’s

role to date, one in which she had

the one performance at this early

Geraldine learned glass-cutting. “I

as the lead in the romantic comedy

direct input: “We would be rewriting

stage of her career she wishes more

bought this little contraption and

The Broken Hearts Gallery (available

scenes the morning before. It was

people has seen.

used it on bottles of Corona beer to

on demand November 24th). Much

very loose, we improvised a lot.”

Viswanathan is back on screen

maligned for several years, the

The actress’ name gives you

During her self-isolation due to

away with a little message: ‘When life gives you Corona, make a candle.’”

subgenre is making a comeback

a good idea of who she is. Her

roof with Susan Sarandon, who

by deconstructing the formula and

parents named her Geraldine

happens to be her boyfriend’s mom)

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fill them with candle wax. I gave them

COVID in New York (sharing a

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CANADIAN SHARE THEIR IMMIGRANTS STORIES

Meet the Dhillon Family Khush Dhillon is a Mortgage Broker at True North Mortgage Jashan Kaur is an Office Manager at Gilco Real Estate Arwyn Kaur Dhillon is 3

Why did you decide to migrate to Canada?

PHOTO: DHILLON FAMILY

We started thinking about moving to Canada the year our daughter, Arwyn, was born in 2017. My wife and I have close family in Canada and were aware of the strong community presence, way of life, opportunities, challenges, and future prospects for our kids with respect to healthcare, education, and safe environment to grow. Given this, we knew moving to Canada was the right decision.

Where did you stay when you reached Canada?

On our first trip we stayed in Burnaby at my Fufadji and Bhuaji’s (aunt and uncle). We loved the city. We also visited my wife’s Massar and Masiji (aunt and uncle) in Surrey. Surrey

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gave us a feeling of familiarity; a Punjab away from Punjab.

What were your first impressions of Canada?

We loved the warm welcome we received when we reached the immigration office at Vancouver airport. Our daughter was crying after a long flight and we were called to the front of the queue. We were really moved by this gesture. We noticed how friendly people are here! Every single person starts a conversation, no matter how random, with “how are you today?" and a smile from strangers is a new normal here.

Like many newcomers to Canada, getting a driving license was a hurdle. We did the road test a couple of times before getting the license.

Also, we landed in the midst of Covid.

The limitation of staying at home and not being able to visit family and friends was definitely unnerving. Our family was separated for six months because my wife and daughter were not able to join me in Canada because of flight restrictions. This was one of the biggest challenges that we faced.

most of Canada has harsh weather and there are few options to settle in temperate weather.

We landed in the midst of Covid. The limitation of staying at home and not being able to visit family and friends was definitely unnerving.Our family was separated for six months because my wife and daughter were not able to join me in Canada because of flight restrictions. This was one of the biggest challenges that we faced."

What do you miss the most about your homeland?

How long did it take to get used to the people, weather or the surrounding?

As the Covid situation got better and we started leaving the house, visiting new places and meeting new people, we became accustomed to the weather and the multiculturalism of Canada.

Personally to us, Canada didn’t seem much of an alien place. Wherever we go, we see familiar faces; hear Describe your familiar languages such as Punjabi professions before and Hindi. This made getting used moving to Canada.

I worked as a Manager in HMEL to Canada even more easier.

(HPCL – Mittal Energy Ltd.). My wife What aspects do you Jashan, worked as an Assistant like/dislike most about professor in Computer Science at this country?

Maharaja Ranjit Singh University.

We like the healthcare, education What challenges did you facilities, and government programs face when you and your for children and the multiculturalism of Canada. We dislike the fact that family moved here?

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How was your experience getting a job here?

I got my license to work as a Mortgage Broker before moving to Canada.

After moving here, I started working as a self-employed professional. My wife who was working as a Computer Science professor in a University is waiting for the right opportunity to get a job in her field of education and experience. University hiring is low due to Covid-related reduction in student admissions.

We miss our family and friends back home. We also missed festivals when family and friends got together. Our first Diwali in Canada was tough.

How do you see your future in Canada?

We understand that though the initial couple of years could be challenging but the future holds better opportunities in personal and professional space. The key is to keep trying and attain/upgrade education credentials as per the Canadian job market. For children, this country has ample opportunities. We are very hopeful for a better future for our children.

How has your overall journey in Canada been so far?

Our journey so far has been bittersweet.

There have been many tough days due to Covid and separation that our family endured. There have been many brighter days spent without extended family here, first Halloween, first Thanksgiving dinner, first Diwali, and first Christmas tree decoration.

What resolutions were made for yourself or family?

We have decided to give our best to establish our careers here; make connections in respective industries and be open to opportunities and challenges that come our way.

Any advice for future immigrants?

We would suggest that those who are interested in moving to Canada and calling this country their new home, research about job prospects, the education upgradation required, and where they want to settle in detail. If possible, they could visit Canada for a short duration before moving here permanently.

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